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Rain did not stop the dedicated fans of local Revolutionary War legends Charles Bruce and James Gillies.

The large, old granite marker in their honor — in front of the Summerfield Elementary School — was rededicated Sept. 26, 86 years after its original dedication.

Completion of the original monument had been delayed about a year by similar weather.

“The continual rains of the past year have forced us to defer the occasion time and again,” said Bruce Project Chairwoman Eva Martin in a dedication speech Sept. 29, 1923.

Over the years, the monument fell into disrepair, and the Guilford Battle Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution dreamed of restoring the site to its original glory.

Thanks to the hard work of Eagle Scout candidate Joseph Campbell, his fellow Boy Scout Troop 316 members and their families, that dream became a reality.

Back in 1923, Joseph Hoskins — a prosperous land owner in Summerfield — donated nearly an acre to the Guilford Battle Chapter DAR to be called Bruce Park. His land had previously been owned by Charles Bruce himself and passed down to descendants.

Bruce, the founder of Summerfield, was a great patriot during the Revolutionary War, serving as commissary and handling ammunition supplies for the area. His land also held one of three muster grounds in Guilford County. With many coming to his home, the area where the roads crossed became known as Bruce Crossroads.

Bruce was active also with the Continental Army, having many of the troops stop by the plantation for food and rest.

At one time, Col. “Light Horse Harry” Lee had chosen to stop to dine at the Bruce table. During this stay, a farmer, Isaac Wright, warned the soldiers and Bruce that he had spotted a group of British dragoons not far from the Bruce home.

Lee sent a group of men to follow Wright and to see if the story was valid. Wright’s horse was unable to return to the location since he had ridden the horse at top speed to warn Lee.

Lee offered his own bugler boy’s horse and so began the story that has been passed down over 200 years. The bugler, James Gillies, apprehensive that he would not see his horse again, followed along on the farmer’s horse. The troops and Wright accidentally surprised the dragoons on a turn in the road before they could advance with discretion. They turned and galloped back to report to Lee and secure reinforcements. Gillies was killed by Gen. Banastre Tarleton’s dragoons.

One of Lee’s most resolute and efficient officers was ordered to take a group of men and help the bugler boy. It was too late. The boy had been cut to pieces. The men overtook the dragoons and vengeance was paid for the boy.

Gillies was brought back and buried in the Bruce family cemetery.
Charles Bruce continued with his patriotic service and later became a senator and other honorary roles in the state.

In 1923, the Guilford Battle Chapter DAR erected a massive granite monument in memory of Bruce and Lee’s bugler boy, Gillies.

At one time, flowers surrounded the monument, which, through years, became unnoticed. Members of the DAR chapter knew they needed to upgrade the monument.

That’s where Joseph, in his quest for an Eagle Scout project, came in.

When he and his mother, Ronda Campbell, first saw a sketch of the Bruce Renovation Committee’s plans, they did not hesitate.

They also accepted the challenged to add three flag poles — for the US flag, North Carolina flag and a replica of the flag carried during the Battle of Guilford Courthouse in March 1781, referred to as the Guilford Courthouse flag.

The project began to unfold on Aug. 21, as Scouts showed up at the monument with shovels, pitchforks and a backhoe. Boys and parents joined together to help bring the old monument back to its much deserved showplace in Summerfield.

It rained that day, but that did not stop the determination of the troop and adults . New cobblestone pavers were laid around the monument, benches installed, shrubs planted and flag poles installed . Bruce Park was finally complete.

Almost a month later, the monument was ready for rededication. And on that day, as regent of the Guilford Battle Chapter DAR, I was proud to be a part of the ceremony of that worthy old monument and new little park setting.

Recognition of Bruce, the bugler boy and well deserved honors to Joseph were a part of the ceremony, as well as recognition of National Constitution Week, very fitting for the event.

Among the many guests who chose to come, despite misty rain, were Charles Bruce descendants Bill Snyder and Chip Fraiser, DAR state leaders, Scouts and other community and historical-group leaders.

The Boy Scout troop set up canopies for the guests’ comfort, working together with the host, Guilford Battle chapter DAR.
The project proves that citizens can work together to complete a community challenge.

As the beautiful ceremony closed, Taps was played by American Legion member and bugler Jay Callaham. How fitting that the sounds echoed across the little campus to honor yet another bugler and patriot who today are still remembered.

This regent, Joseph Campbell and Troop 316.

Etta Reid, a local historian and educator, lives in Summerfield. She can be reached at etreid@aol.com.