Reenactors or what?

[BCS1973]

Very random, but looking at the cartridge box hanging on the rifle stack, I noticed something peculiar about the outer flap lower corner being folded. This is my Jarnagin cartridge box I got in 1987 at Shiloh 125th. It probably has close to 400 days in the field on it. It never dawned on me this happened/was happening, but it did. I guess repetition of lifting the flap?

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Any idea on how long it would take a cartridge box flap to curl like that? I know it's a crazy long shot, but the reason I ask is because the three in the middle bear resemblance to ancestors of mine who were brothers. However, all three were only together in the unit for about 7 months. They would only have been involved in one very small peninsula engagement as a trio as one missed 2nd Rull Run due to disease. Another deserted from camp near DC two months after Bull Run and took his Enfield with him. It's also likely at least one of them was left handed.

 

[Bentonville]

I've seen this pic before. I believe I it's period.

Or tye best photoshoped ever.

 

[Jack7171]

I've seen modern day b&w photos taken of reenactors, both posed and in skirmish ,, but there's just something about that dead eye, expressionless, zero emotion 1000 yard stare of original period soldiers that just can't be reproduced. Things they saw and endured truly did change their psyche. And is that really big fun size hardtack, or do they just have tiny hands?