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James A. Miller
Acting 2nd Assistant Engineer
James A.
Miller was born June 1, 1836 in Morristown, NJ. His
father died when he was 12 and he was placed with a farm
family. He worked as a farm hand until he was 17 at which
time he was apprenticed as a machinist at Speedwell Iron
Works. He enlisted in the Navy April 29,1861 as a 1st
Class Fireman and served on the North Carolina and USS
Wabash. On September 12, 1862 he was discharged due to
illness. The next year he spent recovering from his
illness and working at Secor & Co. in Jersey City
building monitors. On December 12, 1863 he obtained an
appointment in the Navy as Acting 2nd
Assistant Engineer and was assigned to the USS Harvest
Moon. After the Harvest Moon was torpedoed he remained
with the ship employed in removing the engine and
equipment. On April 28, 1865 he was detached from the
Harvest Moon and was discharged October 30, 1865. James
A. Miller died February 10, 1914 in Terre Haute, Indiana.
James A. Miller's gggrandson Lon Brazelton of
Allen, Texas has possession of Engineer Miller's Sea Chest,
several photographs, a partial diary and other papers including a
list of those items he removed from the sunken Harvest Moon and
sent to the Philadelphia Navy Yard.
PHOTOGRAPHS
Most of James Millers photos do not identify
the subject. Close inspection of uniforms and comparison with
other identified photos and some speculation has allowed the
probable identification of some of the officers portrayed. Only
Naval Officers that most likely served with Miller are displayed
although his photo collection includes an Army Officer, a women
and several in civilian clothes.
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Taken
at a G.A.R. Veterern's Reunion
Arrow points to Miller
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Harvest
Moon's Engineering Officers
William Elliott Todd &
James A. Miller Henry Fisher & Frederick W. Racoe
1865
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Acting
Assistant Paymaster
Lawson E. Rice
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3rd
Assistant Engineer H. D. Potts
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These
unidentified Ensigns probably served with engineer Miller
on the Harvest Moon
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This page is sponsored by the Harvest Moon Historical Society
Wilmington, DE
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