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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --
First Assistant Engineer Miles J. Freeman, Confederate States
Navy, (in service, 1861-1865)
Miles J. Freeman was born in Wales and educated in Scotland.
At the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861, he was Chief
Engineer of the merchant steamer Habana at New Orleans.
When she was purchased by the Confederate States for conversion
to a cruiser, he accepted a commission as a First Assistant Engineer
and as her Chief Engineer throughout her cruise as CSS Sumter.
When that ship was laid up at Gibraltar in 1862, Freeman accompanied
Captain Raphael Semmes
in placing into commission a new cruiser, CSS Alabama,
and was her Chief Engineer throughout her career. Captured when
Alabama was sunk in the 19
June 1864 action with USS Kearsarge, he was held as
a prisoner of war until June 1865. After the end of the Civil
War, Freeman was employed as an engineer in the merchant service.
This page features all our pictures of First Assistant Engineer
Miles J. Freeman, CSN.
Click on the small photograph to prompt
a larger view of the same image.
Photo #: NH 49432
First Assistant Engineer Miles J. Freeman, CSN
Halftoned image, printed in "Two Years on the Alabama",
by Lieutenant Arthur Sinclair (2nd edition, 1896).
He served in as Chief Engineer of CSS Alabama in 1862-64.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 70KB; 590 x 675 pixels |
![](../../images/h49000/h49432t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 66650
First Assistant Engineer Miles J. Freeman, CSN
Engraved portrait, published during the later part of the 19th
Century. He served as Chief Engineer of CSS Sumpter and
CSS Alabama.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 76KB; 590 x 675 pixels |
![](../../images/h66000/h66650t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 42383
CSS Sumter (1861-1862)
Ship's officers on deck.
They are Seated, left to right:
First Lieutenant William E. Evans;
Commander Raphael Semmes, Commanding Officer; and
First Assistant Engineer Miles J. Freeman.
Standing, left to right:
Surgeon Francis L. Galt;
Lieutenant John M. Stribling;
First Lieutenant John M. Kell, Executive Officer;
Lieutenant Robert T. Chapman; and
First Lieutenant Becket K. Howell (Marine Corps).
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 134KB; 740 x 590 pixels |
![](../../images/h42000/h42383t.jpg) |
Photo #: NH 57264
Confederate States Navy Officers,
who served with Raphael Semmes
Line engraving by H.B. Hall, Jr., New York, featuring portraits
of seven officers who served with Semmes in CSS Sumter.
In center is First Lieutenant John McIntosh Kell.
The others are (clockwise from top):
First Lieutenant Robert T. Chapman;
First Assistant Engineer Miles J. Freeman;
Paymaster Henry Myers;
Lieutenant John M. Stribling;
Surgeon Francis L. Galt; and
First Lieutenant William E. Evans.
Kell, Freeman and Galt also served with Semmes in CSS Alabama
and were present during her engagement with USS Kearsarge.
U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.
Online Image: 122KB; 545 x 765 pixels |
![](../../images/h57000/h57264t.jpg) |
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Page made 24 July 2000
Links added 11 February 2001