Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1862-04-05
TALES & SKETCHES.
A RIVAL OF ToUssAINT LoUvHR.
TURE.
THB ADVENTURES OF 'roToMAc ,IM.n

spent three weeks at Liverpool Point,
the outpost of Hooker's Division, almost
directly opposite Aqua Creek, waiting
patiently for the advance oc on: selt wing 10
follow UP the army, h..oniing If not par
icipator again"t the dying struggles Of
rebcldon. 1T least chronicler of the tri-
,.mphs in the march of the Union army.
nuring this time WAS the guest of Col.
Grahanl, of Matthias Point memory, who had
brought over mum tlHt pla,,, Oo.,t Novenl-
bcr,) some thirty valuable chattels A part
of the camp WAS assigned to them. They
built log huts and obtained from the soldiers
many comforts, making their quarters equal
to any in the camp.
They had friends and relatives. Negroes
feel ~ much sympathy for their friends and
kin rs the whites, and from November to
the present time, many a man in Virginia
has lost very likely nigger, for the camp
contains now upwards of hundred fat and
healthy darkies, in addition TO its original
number from Matthias Point.
One of the number deserves more honor
than that according to Toussaint L'Overture
in the brilliant lecture delivered by Wendell
Phillips. He is unquestionably the hero of
the Potomsc, and deserves 10 he placed by
the side of his most renowned black brcth-
ren.
The name of this negro is James lawson
born near Hampstead Virginia. and belonged
to Mr.. Taylor He made his escape last
December. On hearing his praises spoken
by the Captains of the gunboats on the
Potomac, WAS rather indisposed TO admit
the possession of all the qualities they give
him credit for, and thought possibly his
exploits had been exaggerated. His heroic
courage, truthfulness and exalted Christian
character seemed too romantic for their real
izstion; however, my doubts on that score
were dispellcd, and / am witness of his
last crowning act.
Jim, after making his escapc from Virginia.
shipped on board of the Freedom, flag gun
boat, Lieut.. Samuel Magaw, commanding.
He furnished Captain Magaw with much
valuable intelligence concerning the rebel
movements, and from his quiet everyday
behavior, soon won the esteem Of the com
manding officer.
Captain Magaw, shortly after Jim's arrival
on board the Freedom, sent him upon q
scouting tour through the Rebel Notifications,
more to test his reliability than anything
else and the mission, although fraught
with great danger, was executed by Jim in
the most faithful manner. Again Jim WIS
sent into Virginia, landing at the White
House, below Mount Vernon, and going into
the interior for several miles encountering
the fire of picket guards and posted sentries
returned in safety to the shore, and was
brought off in the Captains gig, under the
fire of the rebel musketry.
Jim had wife and four children at that
time still in Virginia. They belonged to
the same man as Jim did ; he was anxious
to get them; yet il seemed impossible. One
day in January, Jim came to the Captains
room and asked for permission to be landed
that evening on the Virginia side, as he
wished to bring off his family. "Why, Jim,"
said Captain Magaw, "how will you be able
to pass the pickets n
81 want TO try, Captain think can get
'em over safely" meekly replied Jim.
well, you have my PERMISSION and
Capt, Magraw ordered one of the gunbosts to
Jim that night on whatever part the shore
jim designated, and return for him the fol-
lowing evening
True to his appointment, Jim was at the
spot with his wife and family, and were
taken on board the gunboat and brought
over TO Liverpool Point, where Col. Graham
had given them log house TO live in, just
back OF his own quarters. jim ran the
gauntlet of sentries unharmed, never taking
to the roads, but keeping in the woods
every foot-path of which and almost every
tree, he knew from his boyhood up.
Several weeks afterwards another recon-
noisance was planned, and Jim sent on it.
He returned in safety, and was highly COM
plimented by Generals Hooker, Sickles, and
the entire flotills.
On Thursday, week ago, it became neces-
sary to obtain correct information Of the
enemy's movements. Since then, batteries
at Shipping and Cockpit Points had been
evacuated, and their troops moved TO Fred
ericksburg. Jim was the main picked out
for the occasion, by General Sickles and
Captain Magaw. The General came down
to Colonel Graham's quarters, about 0 in the
evening, and sent for Jim. There were pre-
sent the General, Col. Graham, and myself
Jim came into the Colonel's.
Jim" said the General II want you tc
1 - A. ...Ls a.