Curiouser and curiouser. How can he tell that the photo was reversed? It doesn't matter--I am just wondering. The photo is a tintype, if that matters.
Saint Christopher--interesting. Usually the patron saint of people who are traveling. I am afraid it can't be soldiers as my great-grandfather was born in 1859 so a small child during the American Civil War. But maybe he was a patron saint of those who worked in transportation? Will have to google that.
This is most intriguing information. Thank you so much.
Men's clothes button up left over right, women's clothes right over left. As the men in the photo had their clothes buttoned right over left, it is a dead giveaway that the photo is reversed.
As it's a tintype photo, I can say a vast portion of tintype photos are reversed due to the process of making them, so unless it was done in a studio by someone of grand photographic skill (a rarity), odds are it's reversed.
A side note: Women of wealth in the "old days" didn't dress themselves, so their fashions were made so the buttons & fasteners were setup as convenient for the right-handed person helping them dress, not the person wearing the outfit.
There were other wars he could have fought in, including the Spanish-American War in 1898 & the Philippine Insurrection 1900-1902, not to mention the years of conquering the "wild west" and fights with the native American people. It's also possible he simply served and was getting together with the old unit for a reunion.
As to Saint Christopher, he is the Patron Saint of Travelers and Soldiers, the latter shortened to "Men in Uniform" as it also covers mail carriers in the modern times. Many US soldiers have carried a Saint Christopher small medal with them on the battlefield. The ones in the photo are ceremonial, so that denotes a reunion or memorial service.
Found this from
https://www.catholicsaintmedals.com/about-st-christopher.aspx :
"St. Christopher is the patron saint of the following causes:
Athletes, mariners, travelers, against lightning, bachelors, boatmen, soldiers, floods, a holy death, drivers, sailors, transportation workers."
Hope I've been some help. Sorry if I ramble.
Dr. Dude