James was born on the 6th of September, 1828, in Edgar County, Illinois, and he served in the 59th Indiana Infantry. It was his actions as a First Lieutenant during the Second Battle of Corinth on the 4th of October, 1862, that would earn him the Medal of Honor. The citation reads:

Voluntarily took command of another regiment, with the consent of one or more of his seniors, who were present, rallied the command and led it in the assault.

James had taken command of the 48th Indiana Volunteer Infantry once it's commander had been killed. He married Elizabeth Chambers and they had six children. James W Archer received his Medal of Honor on the 2nd of August, 1897, and he died on the 28th of January, 1908, at the age of 79. He is buried in the Riverside Cemetery in Spencer, Indiana, with his wife who joined him sixteen years later.