Detroit Light Infantry?

[Jeremy Bevard]

I can't let Curt have all the fun. This one has been sitting on my computer for a few years. Found by a friend when we were researching the 1st Michigan (3 months). It was labeled as Detroit Light Infantry with the Burton Collection, Detroit.

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Detroit Light Infantry?

I feel like I've seen a very similar lithograph (maybe based off this photo) for a theatrical production in New York. It was a comedy about an Irish-American militia unit if I'm remembering correctly. I'll see if I can dig it up.

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Detroit Light Infantry?

I think I was remembering Harrigan and Hart's "Mulligan Guard" act but of course now I can't find the image I *thought* I'd seen.


It also calls to mind their "Regular Army O!"

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Detroit Light Infantry?

Ned Harrigan portrayed Dan Mulligan, the captain of the goofy Mulligan Guards. I do think that looks like a young Harrigan on the left (see below). Either way, my guess is this is from a theatrical production and not the "Detroit Light Infantry" at all. It's a really cool find regardless. Thank you for sharing it, Jeremy!

[Jeremy Bevard]

Re: Detroit Light Infantry?

Brendan,

Thanks for posting this. We have laughed so hard at this photo and made up a few stories about it. I think your theory makes a lot of sense and something none of us considered. That it is a photo of a group of actors in character. Makes me wonder if they were in Detroit performing or not.

[Jon The Beloved]

Re: Detroit Light Infantry?

Here's another..

[Dusty Merritt]

Re: Detroit Light Infantry?

Nice find, Jon! This photo was used for the illustration in the sheet music for the "The Regular Army O!" Harrigan is ID'd on the far left, and you can again see the similarities (albeit a few years have may have passed between the images). Note his distinctive ear shape and long nose in both photos. I'm still not 100% but I'm curious if you all see it too or if I'm just seeing what I want to see.