I did a quick bit of research and found that he had indeed been in the USNA and had resigned at the beginning of the war which would explain his U.S. Navy service. Of course, the term midshipman refers to someone in the process of becoming a naval officer.
From the Navy Department Library by William S. Dudley.
Among the numerous midshipmen resigning and going south, was one Andrew Bierne:
Date resignation was tendered 20 April 1861
Date resignation accepted 20 April 1861
Birth state: Virginia (Probably the part that became West Virginia)
Appointed from: Virginia
Citizenship: Virginia (Now, I find this of interest. Instead of United States citizenship like we would have today, his citizenship was of his state.)
Date of CSN Appointment 24 June 1861
Appointment: Acting Midshipman
Eight other midshipman at the Naval Academy also turned in their resignations that day, April 20th, primarily from Virginia. Before April, most of the resignations were from already seceded states. After Fort Sumter, Lincoln ordered the remaining Southern states to send troops for Union service which was the final straw that had those states secede.
Secession Times. --Old B-Runner
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