Francis H. Nash (c. 1824-1912) was born in Danielsville, Georgia where he owned a small farm with his wife and children, and served as county surveyor. During the Civil War he joined the 42nd Georgia Volunteer Infantry and fought in the battles of Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta and Franklin. Following the war, Nash returned to Georgia until 1872, subsequently moving to McLennon County, Texas. In 1902, he moved to present-day Oklahoma, where he died a decade later.
Comprised of a typescript of a diary, the Francis H. Nash Diary, 1862-1865, chronicles Nash’s experiences in the Western theater with 42nd Georgia Volunteer Infantry. The bound transcript also contains a letter from Nash’s grandson, Frank Bryan of Waco, who transcribed the diary. Bryan also provides biographical information about Nash and a transcription of a paper lining dated 1750, which is included after the diary. Moreover, Bryan drew a map showing the marches and battles in which Nash was engaged.
The diary proper mostly describes the movements of Nash’s regiment between 1862-1865; there is little discussion of camp life and only cursory descriptions of battles, such as Vicksburg, Missionary Ridge, Atlanta and Franklin. Additionally, the diary notes Nash’s money lending to fellow soldiers.
This collection is open for research use.
Francis H. Nash Diary, 1862-1865, Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.
Basic processing and cataloging of this collection was supported with funds from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) for the Briscoe Center’s