Ordered to join George Washington's main army in February 1777, the regiment subsequently fought at Brandywine and Germantown during the Philadelphia Campaign.

[1][2] The original officers included[1] Captains: Lieutenants: Ensigns: Sergeants: Ten companies were organized at Edenton, New Bern, and Salisbury, North Carolina, during the autumn of 1775.

The early successes of local militia over American loyalists and Indians convinced many southerners that professional soldiers were not required for defense.

[4] When the North Carolina Brigade arrived near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, it was so badly understrength that the field officers suggested transferring all the soldiers into the three senior regiments.

[9] Late in the afternoon, after Sir William Howe's flanking column had broken the American right wing, Washington directed Nathanael Greene's division and Nash's brigade to block the British thrust.

Though the battle resulted in an American defeat, Howe's advance was brought to a halt in a fierce musketry duel and Washington's army limped away to fight again.

[13] During the 1777–1778 winter encampment at Valley Forge, Brigadier General Lachlan McIntosh took command of the North Carolina Brigade.