There was a brief British occupation in Salem this past weekend as a joint collaboration between the Salem Maritime National Historic Site and Minute Man National Historic Park brought Redcoat reenactors to Derby Wharf. On Saturday, General Thomas Gage and his troops arrived and made camp, in commemoration of then-Governor Gage’s short-lived attempt to move the capital of the Massachusetts colony to Salem (away from very agitated Boston) in the summer of 1774. This plan was unsuccessful, and the resistance to it set in motion the events of the following year. Gage wasn’t in Salem for very long. The 2011 Redcoats departed on Sunday afternoon.
Tents for the troops.
Drills.
Lunch.
On guard.
Rachel and the Redcoats. SSU history major Rachel Kaye and British officers in front of General Gage’s tent.
General Gage at rest.
