Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller was born in Germany around 1836. Later immigrated to the United States. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on August 21, 1854, in Washington, D.C. After completing his initial term of service, he was discharged on August 21, 1858, but returned to the military to serve three additional enlistments covering the duration of the American Civil War.

During the conflict, Miller served as a Sergeant in the Marine detachment aboard the steam sloop-of-war USS Richmond. The vessel operated as a heavily engaged asset within the West Gulf Blockading Squadron, participating in the capture of New Orleans and the sustained artillery duels of the Port Hudson siege on the Mississippi River.

On August 5, 1864, the USS Richmond formed part of a federal fleet commanded by Rear Admiral David G. Farragut in a major assault on the Confederate defenses at Mobile Bay, Alabama. The fleet was forced to navigate a heavily mined channel under intense artillery fire from Fort Morgan to engage the Confederate naval squadron, which was anchored by the heavily armored casemate ram CSS Tennessee.

Commanding a gun crew on the USS Richmond, Miller maintained his post throughout the intense surface engagement. The ship sustained hits and suffered casualties as Confederate fire raked the wooden decks. Miller directed the continuous loading and firing of his broadside gun over the course of the two-hour battle. The concentrated naval bombardment eventually dismantled the CSS Tennessee’s steering mechanisms and gunport shutters, compelling its surrender and neutralizing the batteries at Fort Morgan.

For his conduct during the engagement, Miller was awarded the Navy Medal of Honor on December 31, 1864.

The official citation reads:

"As captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Richmond during action against rebel forts and gunboats and with the ram Tennessee in Mobile Bay, 5 August 1864. Despite damage to his ship and the loss of several men on board as enemy fire raked her decks, Sgt. Miller fought his gun with skill and courage throughout the furious 2-hour battle which resulted in the surrender of the rebel ram Tennessee and in the damaging and destruction of batteries at Fort Morgan."

Miller continued his service in the Marine Corps through the conclusion of the war. He received his final honorable discharge on October 20, 1866.