Revolutionary War Sketch Discovery

Revolutionary War Sketch Discovery

• Judith Hernstadt, an 18th-century artifact collector, owned a Revolutionary War sketch.
• The sketch depicted two women, a baby, and six soldiers in a horse-drawn carriage.
• It included rough drafts of two men.
• The sketch was a 15 by 5 inch (38 by 12.7 cm) pen-and-ink drawing.
• It took 40 years for the sketch's historical significance to be recognized.

Discovery and Investigation

• In August 2023, Hernstadt showed the sketch to Matthew Skic, a museum curator.
• Skic recognized a Continental Army uniform on one soldier.
• The sketch's inscription mentioned a North Carolina Brigade wagon's route through Philadelphia in August 1777.
• This coincided with an old newspaper report detailing the North Carolina troops' march to join General Washington's army before the Battle of Brandywine.
• Skic confirmed the paper and ink were from the Revolutionary era.

Historical Significance

• The sketch is the first known wartime drawing of the North Carolina troops by an eyewitness.
• It's one of only two known artworks featuring female followers of the Continental Army.
• These women supported soldiers with tasks like cooking, chores, and medical care.
• Their roles are often overlooked in history.
• The sketch provides insight into the Continental Army's daily operations, including joy, hardship, and routines.

Artist Identification

• The sketch's artist was identified as Pierre Eugene du Simitiere.
• Du Simitiere, a Swiss artist, arrived in Philadelphia in 1774 and was known for Revolutionary War sketches.
• Hernstadt donated the sketch to the museum.
• The sketch was publicly displayed in April 2024.