The North Carolina Brigade Project
Recreating a Period Sketch As a Traveling Exhibit
Our chapter is embarking on an extremely unique, ambitious and challenging project. The eyewitness sketch by Pierre Eugène du Simitière (1737-1784) pictured above shows soldiers and camp followers of the Continental Army’s North Carolina Brigade marching through Philadelphia on Aug. 25, 1777, on their way to join the rest of General George Washington’s army stationed south of Philadelphia. These troops would go on to fight at the battles of Brandywine (Sept. 11, 1777) and Germantown (Oct. 4, 1777). The sketch is one of only two known surviving drawings of the NC Brigade made during the Revolution. It is currently displayed at the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia. Pierre Eugène du Simitière, a Swiss artist and collector who lived in Philadelphia during the Revolutionary War, drew the sketch and inscribed it: “an exact representation of a waggon belonging to the north carolina brigade of continental troops which passed thro Philadelphia.” Through his artwork and collecting books, manuscripts, and ephemera, Du Simitière documented the rising American Revolution as it happened.
The sketch reflects many of the social, military, technological, and lifestyle facets of the period in a single image including the Continental Line soldier, the barefoot militia man, the woman and baby in the wagon, the African-American wagon driver, and camp gear tied to the wagon. For example, the inclusion of two female camp followers, including one holding an infant, shown riding in a wagon exemplifies a direct defiance of known regulations at the time about how women following the army could use wagons.
The Raleigh Chapter is recreating this sketch as a traveling exhibit which will visit schools, historic sites, and celebratory events until it is installed at a permanent location. Numerous North Carolina SAR chapters are also interested in hosting the exhibit at their own events during the ongoing America 250th Commemoration. Raleigh Chapter members are currently working diligently to research each component of the exhibit and acquire period-accurate materials to complete it. We are also developing a lesson plan to accompany the exhibits visits to schools and demonstrations, building on work already completed by the Museum of the American Revolution.
Exhibit Progress
The Raleigh Chapter has acquired the wagon for the exhibit and taken possession of it. It is a 19th century "Gruber" style hay wagon shown above which is very similar to that shown in the sketch. We have also determined that there are in fact two horses pulling the wagon with the wagoner riding bareback on the left horse. We will be using horse mannequins
from Fiberstock, Inc. that average 15 hands high once funding is secured to acquire them. Raleigh Chapter members are currently researching the appropriate tack to acquire to mount on the draft horses for the exhibit.
The mannequin for the mounted officer (pictured right) has been ordered and multiple vendors have been identified to price creation of the proper uniform. Raleigh Chapter members are currently consulting with an expert on the North Carolina Dragoons to determine what uniform and equipment should be acquired for the exhibit.
Exhibit Fundraising Campaign
The NC Brigade Project has many components which require funding. Our chapter is raising funds to create the NC Brigade Project. Tax deductible contributions are welcomed from members, other organizations, and the general public.
The North Carolina Society of the SAR voted to grant our project $5000 at the 2025 Annual Meeting in Greensboro, NC. In addition to supporting exhibit component acquisition, this grant qualifies the Raleigh Chapter to now apply for a grant from the George Washington Endowment Fund of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
Please consider a donation. All payments should be made out to Raleigh Chapter Sons of the American Revolution. Donations can be sent to our chapter Treasurer by check or Paypal.
Robert Sigmon,Treasurer
Raleigh SAR
1104 Carrington Drive
Raleigh, NC 27615
or via Paypal to: robert_sigmon@yahoo.com
Several significant donations have already been received including:
- Funding for two of the exhibit's human mannequins.
- Acquisition of the wagon.
- Storage fees for the wagon until the exhibit is completed.
Other fundraising efforts:
- Our chapter recently received our UEI number from the US Government and are registered in the System for Award Management (SAM) so we can receive Federal grants and sub-grants. We are now registering as a non-profit with the North Carolina Secretary of State. This will simplify fund raising going forward.
- Our applications for North Carolina America 250 Grants have been denied, as American NC was to fund entire projects and ours is too large.