THE USS HARVEST MOON - James A. Miller

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 2^nd 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.

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.

		powered by FreeFind