George H Ragens (1845)

Born 1845 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, United States

Died [date unknown] in Pennsylvania, United States [uncertain]

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Biography

George Ragens is a part of US Black heritage.

Private George Ragens served in the United States Civil War.
Side: USA

George H. Ragens a.k.a. George H. Barnes^[1] was born about 1845 in Brownsville, Pennsylvania. He served with the famous 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry during the American Civil War.

He stood about 5 feet 7 inches (1.7m) tall with dark skin, black eyes, and black hair when he enlisted in 1863.

Occupations

• 1863: Chimney sweep

Residences

• 1890: Harrisburg, Pennsylvania (1890 Veterans Schedules)
• 1880: Pennsylvania^[2]
• 1863: Chambersburg, Pennsylvania (military enlistment)

Military Service

Pvt George Ragens served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: 22 April 1863
Mustered out: 20 August 1865
Side: USA
Regiment(s): 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment, Company I

During the Civil War, he served as a Private in Company I of the 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, the second^[3] regiment in the United States made up entirely of enlisted men of color. He was about 18 years old, single and working as a chimney sweep when he enlisted on 22 April 1863 from Chambersburg, Pennsylvania. Mustered out 20 August 1865 with his regiment.^[4]

Military Pension Application No. 410899 Certificate No. 233115 (Pennsylvania)

Research Notes

There are 2 distinct George H. Barnes in the Harrisburg, Pennsylvania city directories around 1890. More research needed to sort everything out ...

Probable census records?

Year: 1880; Census Place: Harrisburg, Dauphin, Pennsylvania; Roll: 1123; Page: 333C; Enumeration District: 093

George Barnes / b. abt. 1848 Pennsylvania / Black Laborer / m. Margaret

Year: 1900; Census Place: Harrisburg Ward 7, Dauphin, Pennsylvania; Page: 10; Enumeration District: 0069; FHL microfilm: 1241402

George H. Barnes / b. abt. 1846 Pennsylvania / Black Labor Daily / m. Margaret E.

Projects

• 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
• African American Civil War veterans of Franklin County, Pennsylvania

Sources

1. ↑ 1890 Veterans Schedules; military pension application
2. ↑ military pension application (see Images)
3. ↑ and the first with federal recognition; the 1st Kansas Colored Volunteer Infantry regiment was against the wishes of the Secretary of War and filled only six companies, but did see action a full year before the 54th
4. ↑ Emilio, McKay Roster p.381

• 1890 United States Veterans Schedules for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania
• Emilio, Luis Fenollosa. History of the Fifty-Fourth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, 1863-1865, Boston, Massachusetts: Boston Book Co., 1891 (1st ed.) and 1894 (2nd ed.)