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.
June 21st, 2011 at 7:38 am
Redcoats always crack me up! I don’t think human history has ever seen a poorer design for a soldier.
Happy first day of summer!
June 21st, 2011 at 8:47 pm
Well, they are decorative. You too, Mark.
July 28th, 2013 at 11:55 am
And to think they conquered half the world!