The Salem Zouaves were founded in the spring of 2000 by the late Dr. Patri Pugliese and Paul Kenworthy. Patri and Paul had been meeting on a regular basis for years to practice 19th-century bayonet fencing. Their demonstrations of bayonet fencing and military sabre drills were popular at local ACW re-enactments, so in 1999 they began to look around for an appropriate historical military unit to recreate that would give an identity and context to their activities. A mutual friend, local historian, and fellow re-enactor, Dr. David Goss of Gordon College, pointed them to a long-forgotten volunteer militia company from Salem, Massachusetts that had been at the forefront of the Zouave craze of 1860-1861. The exotic colorful uniforms, flashy French light-infantry drill, and the wealth of surviving primary source material made Company J of the 8th Massachusetts Volunteer Militia a perfect fit for their purposes. (Photo by Laura Eisener)
Upcoming Events*
*The Salem Zouaves drill every Tuesday night in Medford. Drill nights are not listed on Upcoming Events to avoid unnecessary scrolling.
