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Patrick Fagan – Deserter from 96th Pennsylvania Infantry
Posted By Norman Gasbarro on February 11, 2019
According to information found at the Pennsylvania Archives (above), Patrick Fagan, a 19-year-old miner, enrolled in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry, Company K, as a Private, on 23 September 1861, at Pottsvillle. He stood about 5 foot 9 inches tall, had dark hair, a dark complexion and light-colored eyes. According to information on the card, he was not discharged, but instead was listed as a deserter. The desertion occurred just four days after the end of the Battle of Gettysburg, in which his regiment and company participated.
The Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg has a plaque containing the names of all the members of the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry credited with participating in the battle. However, the name Patrick Fagan does not appear on the portion of the plaque for Company K. There are a few names from Company K that appear to have been removed after the monument was dedicated. It is not known when and why these names were removed, or if Patrick Fagan was one of the names removed. The present policy of the National Park Service is not to make any corrections (additions or removals) on battlefield monuments. The was explained in post entitled More Information on Correcting Errors on the Pennsylvania Memorial at Gettysburg.
In 1890, the Patrick Fagan who served in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry , Company K, as a Private, was living in Williams Township, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. In the two cuts above from the census page, the service is reported as beginning on 23 September 1861 but with no ending date nor length of service given – and that he deserted on 7 July 1863. Note: Click on images to enlarge.
There is no record that a Patrick Fagan who served for a time in the 96th Pennsylvania Infantry ever applied for a pension.
Some information known about Patrick Fagan:
- In 1870, he was living in Williams Township with his wife Anne (the former Anne Ryan), and four children. He was working as a laborer in the mines and he claimed he could not read or write. He also claimed to be born in Pennsylvania.
- In 1880, he was living in Williams Township with his wife Anne and seven children. He was working as a coal miner but had been unemployed for five months in the previous year. He noted that both parents were born in Ireland.
- In 1890, he was living in Williams Township, as previously mentioned (above).
- In 1900, he was a widower, working as a miner, and living in Williamstown, with three children in his household.
- In 1910, still in Williamstown, he claimed to be living off his “own income,” a term usually given when either pensioned or a landlord.
- In 1920, at about age 76, he was living in Williamstown and claimed to be retired.
- Patrick Fagan died on 24 June 1922 and is buried in the Sacred Heart Cemetery, Williamstown, Dauphin County, Pennsylvania.
It is not known at this time what led Patrick Fagan to be a deserter or why he registered as a veteran in 1890. Further information on this soldier is sought and can be added as a comment to this post, or can be sent via e-mail.
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