Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1862-04-04
BRAVE AND USEFUL CONTRA
BAND

BAND.
Gen. Hooker's division on the lower Poto-
mac has bad the services of negro from
Virginia, called Potomac JIM, who has
done gallant and important work as a scout.
The correspondent Of the New York Times
gives the following account Of him
1.-THE name Of this negro is James Lawson,
born near Hampstead, Virginia, and belonged
to a Mr.. Taylor. lie made his escape last
December. Capt. Magaw, shortly after Jim's
arrival on board the Freedom, sent MIN upon
scouting tour through the rebel fortiica-
tions, more to test his reliability than any
thing else aud the mission, though iraught
with great danger. was executed by Jim in
the most faithful manner. Jim had a wife
and four children at that time in Virginia
They belonged to the same man as Jim did /;
he was anxious TO get them; yet it seemed
impossible. One day in January. Jim came
to the captains room and asked for permits
sion to be landed that evening on the Virginia
side, az ne wished TO bring off his family -
why, jim, said Capt. Magaw, how will you
be able to pass the pickets = Il want to try.
captain; | think can get EN- over safely,
meekly replied Jim. well, you have my
permission and Capt Magaw ordered one
OF the 2unDOhkN 10 ldnu jim NNtl UiANN ON
whatever part of the shore Jim designated,
and return for him the following evening -
True TO his appointment, Jim was at the spot
with his wife and family, and they we're taxi
en- on board the gunboat and brought over TO
Liverpool Point, where Col. Graham had
given them a log house to live in, just back
Of his own quarters. Jim IAN the gunlot Of
the sentres unframed, never taking 20 the
roads but keeping the woods-every iootpath
of which, and almost every tree, he knew
from his boyhood up.
"On Thursday. a week ago, it became ne
ccssary to obtain correct information of the
enemys movements. Since then, batteries
Shipping and Cockpit Points had been eyacu-
ated, and their troops moved to Frederick
burgh. jim was the man picked out for the
occasion, by Gen. Sickles and Capt Magaw.
The General came down to Col. Graham's
headquarters, about o'clock in the evening,
and sent for jim. There we're present the
General, Col. Graham and myself Jim
said the general, want YOU TO 90 over to
Virginia tonight. and find out what forces
they have at Aqua Creek and Fredericks-
burgh. II you want any men to accompany
you. pick them out Il know two men that
would like to GO, Jim answered well, get
them, ard be back as soon as possible Away
went Jim over to the contraband camp. and
returning almost Immediately, brought into
our presence two very intelligent locking
darkies. Are you all ready inquired the
General ALREADY, SIR the trio responded
We'll, here, jim, you take my pistol, said
Gen. Sckles, unbuckling It from his belt
and if you are successful will give you
500 Jim hoped he would be, and bidding
US goodbye. started off for the gunboat
Satellite, Capt. Foster, who lanied them a
short distance below the Potomac Creek bat
teries. They were to return early in the
but were unable. from the great dis
lance they went in the interior Long be-
fore daylight on Saturday morning the gum
boat was lying of the appointed place. As
the day dawned Capt. Foster discovered a
picket guard near the beach, and
almost at the same Instant saw jim to the
left Of them in the woods, sighting his gun
at the rebel cavalry. He ordered the gig to
be manned and rowed to the shore The reb-
els moved along slowly, thinking to intercept
the boat, when Foster gave them she'll,
which scattered them. jim, with only one
Of his original companions, and two fresh
came on board. jim had lost
the other Gen Hooker has transmitted to
the war department an account of Jim's re-
to Frederick burgh, and unitcs
with the army and navy stationed on the left
wing Of the Potomac, in the hope that the
government will present jim with fitting
recompense for his gallant services