John E. Ames & William Lamson:

Two of the First Casualties of the Civil War

by Walter V. Hickey

John E. Ames is buried in Edson Cemetery. Corner of Second Ave. and Garfield Ave.

John E. Ames (1826 - 1863), Orderly Sergeant, Co. D. 6th Regt. Mass Inf. (Lowell City Guards) was the most severely wounded of the Lowell men at Baltimore.  He was struck in the head and other parts of his body by stones.  He was left in the street as his company advanced and was taken up to a police station and then to a private residence for nursing care.  He remained there for about a month before he was sufficiently recovered to be sent back to Lowell.  His injuries rendered him totally incapable of ever fully recovering and being able to work. 

In March, 1862, the Massachusetts legislature was presented a petition asking that the state provide financial assistance.  The result was a “Resolve in Favor of John E. Ames.” Approved April 30, 1862, granting him $390 for “services rendered and injuries received … at Baltimore” on 19 April 1861.

Additionally, the State of Maryland sent $7,000 to the governor of Massachusetts to be distributed to the families of the deceased and wounded soldiers of the 6^th Regiment.  Of this amount, $1.200 was awarded to Sgt. Ames.

The inscription on his grave monument reads:

John E. Ames

Orderly Sergt. Co D. 6th Regt. Mass Inf.

Died June 23, 1863 from wounds received

While passing through the streets of Baltimore

Aprit 19, 1861

Aged 37

William H. Lamson is buried in Lowell Cemetery. Lot 581. Corner of Franklin and Catalpa Avenues

William H. Lamson (1830 - 1865), 1st Sergeant, Co. D, 6th Regt. Mass Inf. (Lowell City Guards) was also wounded in the head by a thrown stone during the Baltimore Riot and continued to serve. He died on June 25, 1865 while still in the U. S. Army. The war had ended; however, he died of a disease contracted during the war which was unrelated to the Baltimore injury. (See the obituary below.)

The reverse side of Lamson's grave monument reads:

He was one of the first to obey the call of his country and was

Wounded white passing through Baltimore.

He afterward served as First Lieut. 26th Mass Regt.

He was afterwards commissioned Capt. of Co. F, 33rd Mass Regt and

White serving there was promoted to the rank of Major

The Currier & Ives lithographic print captioned -

The Lexington of 1861

The Massachusetts Volunteers fighting their way 

through the Streets of Baltimore, 

on their march to the defence of the National Capitol 

April 19th, 1861. 

Hurrah for the Glorious 6th.

This obituary appeared in the Lowell Daily Citizen and News the day after the death of William H. Lamson -

Lowell Daily Citizen and News, June 6, 1865