News

Rare sketch of North Carolina Brigade during Revolution is coming to Raleigh

By Lightning Reports, Published: April 28, 2026

A rare, recently discovered eyewitness pen-and-ink sketch of the Continental Army’s North Carolina Brigade is coming to North Carolina for the first time.

The sketch depicting Continental Army soldiers and camp followers marching through Philadelphia on Aug. 25, 1777, is on loan to the N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources from the Museum of the American Revolution and will be a centerpiece of DNCR’s America 250 NC commemoration. The sketch is the first wartime depiction of North Carolina troops known to exist, and only the second-known depiction of female camp followers of the Continental Army made by an eyewitness.

“Without the benefit of photography during the Revolutionary Era, it can be hard for us to picture the people and events of 250 years ago,” DNCR Secretary Pamela B. Cashwell said in a news release. “This extraordinary sketch – an eyewitness account of the war – is an amazing opportunity to envision the reality of America’s fight for liberty from Great Britain.”

The original sketch will be on display at the North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh for one day only, Wednesday, May 13, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The work will be on display in the East Building of the N.C. Museum of Art from May 20-Aug. 1. In August, the sketch will be installed at the N.C. History Center at Tryon Palace in New Bern through early October. The sketch will then be on view at the Visitor Center at Historic Halifax State Historic Site until Nov. 6. Along with the sketch, both the State Capitol and Tryon Palace installations will include Revolutionary Era artifacts from the N.C. Museum of History.

Discovered at the New York home of Judith Hernstadt by Matthew Skic, director of Collections and Exhibitions at the Museum of the American Revolution, the sketch is one of only 12 known drawings of the Continental Line. Skic confirmed the work’s authenticity and helped to discover the identity of the artist, Switzerland-born Pierre Eugène du Simitière (1737-84), who settled in Philadelphia in about 1774 and is now known for documenting the rising American Revolution as it happened. Hernstadt donated the drawing to the Museum of the American Revolution in 2024.

The sketch was conserved due to generous contributions from the North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati, which is comprised of descendants of officers of the North Carolina Continental Line.

The display of the sketch in North Carolina was made possible by the generous support of the Richard Hampton Jenrette Foundation, the State Capitol Foundation and the North Carolina Society of the Cincinnati.

Learn more about North Carolina’s commemoration of America 250 and discover more exciting events at america250.nc.gov.

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is a private, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call (877) 740-1776. 

The N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural Resources manages, promotes, and enhances the things that people love about North Carolina – its diverse arts and culture, rich history, and spectacular natural areas. At more than 100 sites across the state, the department enhances education, stimulates economic development, improves public health, expands accessibility, and strengthens community resiliency. For more information, please visit www.dncr.nc.gov.