Mon, 06/17/2024 - 8:45am

PHIL DI VECE News Contributor

PHIL DI VECE/Boothbay Register

This spring marks the 45th anniversary of an extraordinary event hosted by the communities of Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor – a reenactment of preparations for the historic Penobscot Expedition. “Pen-Ex ’79” took place on the weekend of June 22-24, 1979 when over 250 Revolutionary War re-enactors from throughout New England gathered on the peninsula to recreate the planned attack on the British army. The offensive was an attempt to recapture the port of Castine in Downeast Maine. The land and sea battle that took place at Fort George went badly for the Patriots, who were forced to retreat following their defeat. The weather was overcast but dry for Pen-Ex ’79 which attracted hundreds of visitors and started with an encampment of the re-enactors at Boothbay Railway Village.

Activities included firing of canon and muskets on the town common, militia companies using the high school football field as a parade ground, and a colorful parade of troops downtown in Boothbay Harbor. Other highlights included the tar and feathering of a British sympathizer, and a mock duel on the grounds of Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library. The duel involved Wiscasset resident “Major” Karl Olson of the Lincoln County Regiment and “Major” Dana Littlefield of the York County Regiment. The altercation resulted from “salacious” comments Maj. Littlefield had allegedly made to Maj. Olson while he was serving as escort to his mistress.

Bill Lynch and Bill McElman helped coordinate and schedule Pen-Ex ’79’s events and activities and George McEvoy very generously donated the use of Boothbay Railway Village for the militiamen to use. Boothbay Fish & Game Club was involved as well, hosting a black powder shooting contest among the troops. Other supporters included Boothbay Region Chamber of Commerce.

All the photographs were taken by Phil Di Vece, who covered Pen-Ex ’79 for the Boothbay Register and is a contributor and columnist for Wiscasset Newspaper-Boothbay Register. Several of these images previously appeared in the newspaper; others are being published for the first time.