The Charlotte Journal

From National Intelligencer
AN APPEAL TO NORTH CAROLINA.
On the 4th of October, 1777, the battle of Germantown was fought. General Francis Nash, of North Carolina, commanded the reserve guard, which was brought into action and distinguished itself at the close of the battle in covering the American retreat and resisting the attack of Gen. Grey. General Nash was mortally wounded, it is said, by the same shot which killed Major Witherspoon, of the New Jersey brigade. The point where this last and most severe struggle occurred is yet pointed out. General Nash was carried off the field and removed to the neighborhood of the American camp, where, in a few days, he died. General Washington, in his despatches, mentions his death with expression of deep regret; and, on the 4th of November, 1777, Congress passed the following resolution:
"Resolved, That his Excellency Governor Caswell, of North Carolina, be requested to erect a monument of the value of five hundred dollars at the expense of the United States, in honor of the memory of Brigadier General Nash, who fell in the battle of Germantown bravely contending for the independence of his country."
On the 3d of August, 1843, sixty-six years after this event, two gentlemen from Philadelphia, being in the neighborhood of the encampment held by the American army after the retreat from Germantown and taking an active interest in such subjects, were induced to ascertain the place of interment of this gallant soldier of the Revolution. They had no difficulty in doing so. In the burial ground attached to the Methodist meeting house, about half a mile above Kulpsville, in Towamensing township, Montgomery county, there are four graves, (three in good preservation,) with plain head and foot stones, placed there by the neighbors, by whom the tradition of the place is affectionately cherished. The largest and most northerly grave is that of Gen. Nash; the others are those of Major White, of New Jersey, an aid of Gen. Sullivan, Col. Boyd, and the other is unknown. They were all officers of rank, who died of wounds received at Germantown. There are yet living more than one with whom we conversed who distinctly recollect Gen. Nash's funeral, and are positive as to his grave. The burial ground is entirely secluded though quite accessible, at the distance of about twenty-four miles from Philadelphia, and a spot of as much picturesque beauty as can be found in that neighborhood.
The object of this communication is respectfully to call the attention of North Carolina to the almost forgotten burial place of her heroic son. The resolution of Congress, passed when gratitude was fresh and active, has never been acted on. And how could it more appropriately be carried into effect than through the activity and liberality of North Carolinians, to build an appropriate monument on the spot where, almost within sound of the battle where his mortal wounds were received the soldier of the Revolution lies?
It is not believed the neighbors will consent to part with these remains. The interest they, plain German farmers of another generation, seemed to take in them, was one of the most agreeable exhibitions which our inquirers observed.
The name of the writer of this communication, one of the gentlemen who made the examination, is left with the Editors of the Intelligencer. It is hoped this appeal will not be in vain. It is made to the surviving relatives of General Nash, and if to those it fails, then to his native State.
OLD MORTALITY.
NOTE. BY THE EDITORS.
In a private letter to his brother, Gen. Washington, speaking of the action at Germantown, observes, "Our loss in killed and wounded was about 1000 men. Gen. Nash, of N. Carolina, was wounded, and died two or three days after. Many valuable officers of ours were also wounded, and some killed. In a word, it was a bloody day. Would to Heaven I could add it had been a more fortunate one."
5 vol. Sparks's Washington, 103.
Gen. Sullivan, in his letter to the President of New Hampshire, (same vol. 466) says: "We lost some valuable officers, among whom was the brave Gen. Nash, and my two aids-de-camp, Majors Sherburne and White, whose singular bravery must ever do honor to their memories."