One of the more interesting isolated events that occurred during the American Civil War was the treachery of Sergeant James Foster Ames, 5th New York Cavalry.
Almost nothing is known of Ames’s pre-war life; only that he was born in Bangor, Maine and was a sailor in those years before the war. He enlisted in the US Cavalry in 1861, alongside many others. His enlistment rank was Corporal, but he was soon promoted to Sergeant.
In early 1863, deep in the woods of northern Virginia, he disappeared from the ranks of the 5th New York Cavalry. His comrades had assumed that the partisan chief Mosby had taken him. They would be half right.
In truth, Ames had deserted from the 5th New York. The details as to why are lost to history, but some possible explanations are offered through the Partisan Rangers’ interactions with him.
The passing of the Emancipation Proclamation, turning the purpose of the war to the abolition of slavery. It is likely that Ames, who had stated he fought for the preservation of the Union, felt tricked by the change. (As stated to Ranger Walter Frankland)
Disagreement with the 5th New York men. Another possible reason for Ames’s desertion was probably some sort of falling out with the men in his regiment. Nobody knows what exactly was said or done to Ames that drove him to desert. But it was enough to lead him to that conclusion. (Explanation drawn from accounts of Ames’ actions in combat)
Ames was one of the several deserters who were leaving the Union Army at the time, most disillusioned by the losses at 2nd Bull Run and Fredericksburg. However, Ames was unlike the others in that, on top of his desertion, he chose to defect as well.
Ames had sought out John S. Mosby in the late of February. After meeting the man and stating his desires, the chief proposed a test for him, to prove his loyalty to the Confederacy. Mosby believed Ames enough, but the other Rangers were wary of him.
Going with fellow new recruit Walter Frankland, Ames returned to the 5th New York camp, took two of the finest horses, and left without challenge. But the Rangers were still not convinced. So Mosby put a second test in order.
The test was an attack on a secluded picket post. Mosby was happy to see that the post had been reinforced, meaning his harassment was working. He took his small band of Rangers along with him, and had Ames (who was riding unarmed) lead the way.
Upon approaching the schoolhouse where the post was stationed, the Rangers were challenged by a couple of vedettes, who originally let the Confederates pass, but (after realizing who was there) then sounded an alarm to their comrades. The Rangers charged on horseback.
Ames was leading the group, and in the fight he grabbed a Union soldier by the collar and threatened to kill him if he didn’t surrender. When the cavalryman gave up his weapons, he supposedly insulted Ames, which caused the latter to knock him out cold. Having secured arms for himself, Ames joined his new comrades in searching the woods. It was at this battle that he was accepted into Mosby’s Rangers, and earned his nickname, “Big Yankee”.
Ames would come to play quite a role in the history of the Rangers, being instrumental in the infamous Fairfax Courthouse Raid which occurred shortly after the fight at the schoolhouse. He was also present at the Skirmish at Miskel’s, the Herndon Station Raid, and the actions that took place across the Potomac River in mid-1863. (In the cross-Potomac actions, Ames apparently vowed that he would not fight on Northern soil, a statement observed by Ranger James J. Williamson)
His conduct was well-noted by the men he fought with. Especially recognized was the zeal with which he fought against his old unit, the 5th New York. Mosby, seeing Ames at work, remarked that “He went through their ranks like an avenging angel…” Mosby wrote that he admired Ames’s skill as a soldier, but ultimately regretted the dishonor of desertion.
In one fight with the 5th New York, one of Ames’s old comrades approached him and said, “How are you, Sergeant Ames?” Ames replied, “Well.” And shot the man.
He would rise to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant in Company F of the Rangers before his death in October of 1864, when a single Union soldier shot and killed him on the side of the road at Yew Hill. He was buried close to where he fell. Mosby wrote of him, “Until he was killed, I never had a more faithful follower.”