Francis Nash (1742-1777) was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia. At an early age he became prominent as a North Carolina merchant, attorney, and justice of the peace; experiences which eventually led to a seat in the House of Commons in North Carolina. In 1775, the Provincial Congress elected Nash Lieutenant Colonel of the First North Carolina Regiment, Continental Army. After taking part in the expedition to aid Charleston in 1776 and 1777, Nash (now in command of the North Carolina Brigade) marched north to join General George Washington's Army. He was mortally wounded while leading his brigade in the Battle of Germantown, 4 October, 1777.

Nash was regarded by Washington as a brave and valuable soldier. The governor of North Carolina described him as "the ablest North Carolina officer in the field." The city of Nashville, Tennessee is named in his honor.

References

Initially based on public domain material from the Web site of USS Nashville (LPD-13), http://www.nashville.navy.mil/.