Debuting this month at the National Museum of the United States Army, the landmark exhibition —CALL TO Arms: The Soldier and the Revolutionary War—has officially opened to the public. Featuring more than 285 rare, some never-before-displayed, artifacts, this powerful exhibit brings the story of the Revolutionary War to life through the eyes of the Soldiers. Visitors will encounter personal accounts, original military belongings, and realistic cast figures that uncover the Soldier’s perspective of America’s fight for independence.
Sylvanus Wood
Sylvanus Wood was one of the minutemen who stood at Lexington. Like many, he wore civilian clothing to the action. He recalled Capt. John Parker saying, “Every man of you who is equipped, follow me.” Later that day, Wood became the first American to capture a British soldier.
William Seymour
William Seymour fought in every major battle of the Southern Theater. His journal describes how they marched hundreds of miles across the country, even detailing how many Soldiers went barefoot. He noted they suffered “with the greatest patience imaginable.”
Daniel Nimham
The last sachem (chief) of the Wappinger People who joined the Patriots at Boston and was killed in combat with his son, Abraham, at the Battle of Kingsbridge.
More than just a historical showcase, the exhibit also explores the motivation behind Soldiers enlisting, from patriotism and sense of adventure to simply seeking a profession, and how those motivations resonate with today’s Army. Among the highlights are a pair of George Washington’s pistols, the original flag of the 1st Rhode Island Regiment carried by the Army’s first African American Soldiers, and a complete Loyalist uniform—one of the rarest items in the collection.
This special exhibit offers a vivid, human-centered perspective of the war, inviting visitors—whether history lovers, educators, or first-time guests—to step into the boots of those who helped shape our nation. The exhibit is included in your free Museum admission and will run through June 2027.
Fowler/Powder Horn of Pvt. Thomas Halsey
The powder horn marked “Fort Ticonderoga” is part of a small collection of an enlisted Soldier’s personal items, which were scarcely preserved. Pvt. Halsey was part of the regiment that accompanied Ethan Allen in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga.
Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States (Blue Book)
A 1779 original copy endorsed by Congress which served as an instruction manual for the Continental Army, training Soldiers in the ways of combat and maneuvers.
John Lane and Anna Maria Lane
Anna Maria Lane was one of the few known women to fight in the Revolutionary War after dressing as a man. She was wounded at the Battle of Germantown and later received a pension from the Commonwealth of Virginia. In 1776, John Lane joined the Continental Army. His wife, Anna, followed him when he enlisted. John was wounded at White Plains and the couple fought together at Germantown. He later served in the Siege of Savannah. After the war, John spent his last years in Richmond, Virginia.