1812 Marines Encampment on Derby Wharf

Members of the 1812 US Marine and Navy Guard at Charlestown Navy Yard

Courtesy of the 1812 US Marine and Navy Guard

News Release Date: October 22, 2007

Contact: Emily Murphy, 978-740-1691

Contact: Colleen Bruce, 978-740-1694

SALEM, MA—During the War of 1812, thousands of young men from Massachusetts served their country on land and at sea. On October 27, 2007, the National Park Service invites you to witness the pageantry of early 19th century military life as Salem Maritime National Historic Site welcomes the reenactment group the 1812 US Marine and Navy Guard to Derby Wharf.

The 1812 US Marine and Navy Guard will demonstrate a typical day for a marine, beginning at 10:00 AM with inspection, and practicing drills and battle maneuvers. Between drills, the marines will be available to answer questions about their uniforms, equipment, and duties as marines during the War of 1812.

Joining the Marines will be the Marines’ hospital matron. 50 years before Clara Barton began organizing aid and hospitals during the Civil War, the Marines hired women to administer their hospitals. The matron organized and distributed food and supplies to sick and wounded soldiers, and oversaw the male nurses who cared for the patients. She will be available to answer questions and talk about her experiences and about the lives of the soldiers.

The 1812 US Marine and Navy Guard will be encamped on Derby Wharf at Salem Maritime National Historic Site, 193 Derby Street, Salem MA between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM on Saturday, October 27, 2007. For more information, please call 978-740-1650.

Schedule for the day:

• 10:00AM - 10:15AM -- Formation, Inspection Parade
• 10:15AM - Noon -- Drill, Battle Maneuvers, Breaks for Visitor Q&A
• Noon - 2:00PM -- Marines are Dismissed
•  2:00PM - 3:45PM -- Formation, Inspection Parade, Drill, Battle Maneuvers, Breaks for Visitor Q&A
• 3:45PM - 4:00PM -- Inspection Parade, Marines are Dismissed

The 1812 US Marine & Navy Guard is a diverse group of professional and amateur historians, actors, students, and reenactors who have pooled their talents and interests to accurately recreate and bring to life the men and women of the War of 1812 through the uniforms, ceremony, battle drill, tactics, and daily life and language of the United States Marine Corps and Navy of “the Second American Revolution.” For more information on the 1812 US Marines, visit their web site, www.1812usmarines.org.