ABOUT THE UNIT

    The Department of the Geographer to the Army is the recreated mapmaking unit of General Washington's Continental Army Staff. While a number of the unit's members have expertise in military engineering, and may be called upon at various events to use that expertise, the Geographers should not be confused with military engineers. Engineers were trained in the construction and reduction of fortifications, while Geographers (cartographers, surveyors, or topographical engineers) specialized in reconnaissance, mapmaking, and surveying distances. In the Continental Army, military engineers were generally recruited from Europe, whereas the geographers were generally able to find skilled surveyors in the colonies.

    It is the goal of this unit to give an accurate, authentic representation of a Continental Army staff department, including proper clothing, equipment & instruments, and skills & knowledge of the geographers' profession as well as the theatre of operations and campaigns within.

Clothing

Unlike other specialized groups attached to Headquarters like the Corps of Engineers, the Department of the Geographer had no known regular uniform.

Those members of the staff who were previously attached to a regiment probably wore the uniform of that unit. This fits well with the June 18, 1780 (Short Hills) General Order pertaining to uniforms, that detailed “Such of the [army] Staff as have military rank to wear the uniform of their ranks and of the Corps to which they belong in the line; such, as have no military rank To wear plain Coats with a Cockade and Sword... ...All officers as well Warrant as Commission'd to wear a Cockade and side arms, either a sword or genteel Bayonet.”

The only clothing issue of any type that has been discovered to date is a late 1779 order issuing shirts and linen distributed “among the officers of the line and staff who are not adopted by any state” including the Miners & Sappers, Engineers, General and Flying Hospital, and Military Surveyors.

We recommend that civilian surveyors attached to the Geographers model their impression after the members of the King's Own Patriots, a fine reenacting unit in North Carolina. Their clothing descriptions can be found here: Clothing & Equipment Pay special attention to the first and last images, showing middle class suits of clothes. At this point, we have no documentation that longhunter or mountain man types were associated with the unit.

Equipment

For images of period and reproduction equipment, click here

A great deal more is known about the equipment that the Geographers used. Of course, the typical surveying and drawing instruments of the day were used, and this is verified in the written record. In his acceptance of the position of Chief Geographer, Erskine mentioned such equipment as flag staffs, plain tables, survey chain, and iron-shod arrows. When in Philadelphia, Erskine purchased, among other things, 27 sheets of drawing paper, brushes, a compass, breeches, and several volumes of scientific books.

In 1781, Peter R. Livingston wrote to Colonel Pickering (Quartermaster General) requesting payment for a plane table that Erskine had purchased from him “for the use of the Surveying Department.”  

The most valuable document indicating the equipment that the staff felt was necessary for conducting the business of the Geographers Department is a July 26, 1781 letter from Thomas Hutchins requesting £407 worth of equipment. The twenty-seven items that he mentioned in his list included several types of paper, 3 sets of drawing instruments, 3 compasses, 3 Hadley’s Quadrants (Octants), 3 Brass Compasses, Quicksilver (for creating artificial horizons), a Perambulator or Waywiser, light table, and a very large tent.

While it is not known if he received full funding for this request, this list gives an excellent picture of what was thought necessary to do an adequate job at the time.

The Living History Portrayal

Instead of portraying historical characters like Robert Erskine, Thomas Hutchins, and Simeon DeWitt, the unit will portray “anonymous” Assistant Geographers, Civilian Surveyors, and enlisted Chain Bearers. This being said, even the Assistant Geographers personalities, and those officers portraying them in the modern unit will base their interpretation on those individuals, especially when selecting clothing.

The unit will portray a survey party, rather than the office of the Chief Geographer. This portrayal will include several Assistant Geographers, about half a dozen chain and instrument bearers, and a few civilians. Some of the enlisted chain bearers will be recruited on a temporary basis from the troops at each event. Those who are permanently attached to the Geographers will also serve as a guard when necessary. These guards will not participate in battle reenactments unless they gain permission attach themselves to another unit for the duration of the battle.

Whenever possible, the unit’s work area will be housed in a dwelling or other suitable structure at an event site, as was done by the original unit. When in the field, the unit will use tentage adequate to house the instruments and work space. It is the desire of the unit to actually conduct surveys and mapmaking activities at events. We do not want to be a “pretty group of officers” sitting around in camp all day. Public education is key, and this can be done in camp as well as in the field.  

The unit is a member of the Brigade of the American Revolution, and follows BAR authenticity and safety guidelines. The general purpose of the BAR is to portray the common soldier of the Revolution, and we realize that 18th century surveyors, cartographers, and geographers were far from common. We will strive to portray the lives and actions of the men who served in the unit with as much accuracy as possible, and will generally follow the "Progressive" reenacting philosophy, as applicable.

The following points regarding authenticity are held in high regard by the leadership of the Geographer's Dept.:

• Facial Hair: Members must shave mustaches and beards, as this was 18th century military custom. No more than two day's beard growth is acceptable at events.

• Eyewear: 18th century-style frames, either original or reproduction, were generally round and somewhat large. Modern glasses are unacceptable. Several inexpensive sources of period eyewear are available now, with frames as cheap as $10.

• Clothing: all clothing should be made of natural materials in common use in Eastern North America during the 1770s and 1780s. 

• No anachronisms such as: cameras, cigarettes, wrist watches, non-period glasses, sunglasses, and plastic items are to be visible by any spectators while in period costume. Please feel free to bring your camera, but please keep it in a pocket or out of sight when not in use and try not to be too obvious when taking photographs.

• The following items are unacceptable for use at events:

  • Modern army boots or black sneakers as foot gear, even under gaiters.

  • Modern clothing adapted to “look” 18th Century (such as tights or white jeans made into breeches or trousers).

  • Clothing items made from polyester, nylon, or other synthetic materials

  • Clothing made from costume patterns, such as Simplicity.

  • Clothing not appropriate for the American Revolution, such as buckskinner/mountain man items.

  • Weapons that are not safe and authentic replicas to the American Revolution.

  • Rendezvous chairs or lantern stands (they will be used as firewood). Tie your tents to hide modern gear inside. No anachronisms visible in camp during public hours. No baled straw for camp seats (must be returned to stock pile). No visible coolers/contemporary camping equipment (put in tent).

• Cleanliness and overall appearance: While most of the members of the Geographer's Department were officers, it is important to note that the work that they undertook was difficult. Surveyors often had to spend days in the field in inclement weather (in fact, Robert Erskine probably died of an ague contracted while on a survey in 1780). It is important to portray an individual who had access to quality clothing and equipment, but it is also important to show that these items were used. 

Continuing research, training, and education will be the hallmark of the Department of the Geographer. In order for us to adequately portray these men, we must become experts in 18^th century surveying and mapmaking. As much as they apply to a unit of this type, the philosophy of the progressive reenactor will be followed by the Department of the Geographer, Army of the United States .

Contact Information

Capt. W. Scott Smith, Assistant Geographer

622 Harrison Street, Lynchburg, Virginia 24504

434-528-3995