Photograph by C.C. Davis Photography
Steven James Boudreau - A.K.A. James F. Ames "Big Yankee" -
James F. Ames was born in Bangor Maine. As a young man he ventured to sea. On 10/29/61 he joined Co.M of the 5th NY Cav. and was mustered in as a Cpl. On 5/11/62 he was promoted to Sgt. and transferred to Co.L 5th NY Cav. He was then stationed at Fairfax Court House.
After Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation took effect. He left the services of the Union Army on 2/10/63 feeling that he could no longer fight for a cause that was fighting for the negro. He traveled south in search of a unit that he had been hearing so much about. That unit was Mosby's Rangers.
When the members of Mosby's first found Ames they thought him to be a spy. They took him to see their commander. He explained to Captian Mosby that he had given up on fighting for the North and wanted to join his unit. Mosby was known for being a good judge of character. After talking to Ames he felt that he could be trusted. They decided to test him.
So they sent him along with Walter Frankland to procure a couple of mounts. Ames along with his comrade had to walk some 30 mile to Germantown to the camp of the 5th NY Cav. There they were able to walk in past the guards and into the officer's stables. There they saddled up 2 horses and casually rode out of camp. Since Ames had just left the services of the 5th NY he knew the pass signs.This act impressed the members of the unit.
Because of Ames's ability to get though the Union line. Mosby decided to try one of his most daring exploits of the unit: to try to capture Colonel Percy Wyndham in his headquarters. To do this they would have to go though miles of enemy lines in the middle of the night. They were able to do this but by the time they had gotten to Fairfax Court House the Colonel was gone. Instead they found out that Brigadier-General Stoughton was in one of the houses. So Mosby went there and surprised him in his bed, captured him and took him to General Fitzhugh Lee. This turned out to be just as good. From that point on there was no doubt of Ames's loyalty. All during the time that he was with Mosby he was one of his most trusted men. Mosby used him often as a scout. Although he left the North because of the politics of the War he would refused to fight on northern soil.
During his time with the 43rd he was a Sgt.in Co A. When Co F was formed he was promoted to 2nd LT; that was 9/13/64. He was shot on 10/9/64 near Piedmont which today is know as Delaplain. They buried him where he died under a oak tree at Ashland Gate.
I took on the persona of James Ames because of the similarities that we share. I started my life in the reenactment world by joining a Union Cav unit. There I became a Stable Sgt. I then left to join the 43rd. I have also been involved with boats and sailing for years. I was born in New England and it seems the more that I learn about Big Yankee the more we have in common. I am honored to be able to portray his memory.