The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-04-15
A BRAVE AND USEFUL CON
TRABAND.

Gen iOOkcfs DIVISION on TIE lower
Po,oma, has had the services Of a negro
from Virginia. called Potomac Jim,' who
has don, gallant and important work as a
scout. The correspondent of the New
York Tines gives tie following account Of
him.
"Iht name Of this negro is james Law
son. BON near Hampstead, Virginia, ana
belonged TO Mr. Taylor lie made his
escape last December. Capt Magaw,
shortly after Jim's arrival on board the
Freeborn, sent him upon a scouting tour
lhronol the rebel Notifications, more 70
test his reliability than anything else !;
and tie mission, though iranght with great
danger WAS executed by Jim IN the most
faitAful manner jim had Il wife and
four children al that time in Virginia.
They belonged to the same man as jim
did; he was anxious to get them; yet II
seemed impossible. One day in January,
Jim came to the captains room and asked
for permission TO be landed that evening
an the Virginia side, as he wished TO bring
oil hi. family. why, Jim, said Capt
Magaw, how will you be abe % pass the
pckeis| want to try, captain; | think
can get en- over safely mcekly replied
jim. We'll, you have my permission; !;
and Capt Magaw ordered one Of the gun
boats TO land jim that night on whatever
part Of the shore Jim designated, and re.
turn for him the following evening. True
TO his appointment, jim was at the spo
with his wife and family, and they were
taken on board the gunboat and brought
over 10 Liverpool Point, where Col. Ora
ham had given them log house 10 live
in, just back Of his own quarters. jim
ran the gauntlet OF the sentries unframed
never taking 10 the roads, but keeping tll'
] Woods--eyery footpalh Of Which, aad al
most every tree, he knew from his boy
hood up.
"On Tuesday, a week ago, it became
necessary TO obtain correct information o
the enemy's movements. Since then bat
teries at Slipping and Cockpit Points ha'
been evacuated and their troops moved 4
Fredericksburg. jim was the man picke'
out fJr the occasion, by Gen. Sickles am
/ Capt Magaw. The general came down {,
Col. Gl1lham's quarters, about ) ocloc
in The evening, and sent for Jim. Ther
we're present the general, Col. Graham
and myself. jim came into the colonel'
Jim, said tie general, j want you to &
over 10 Virginia tonight and find ont whs
forces they have at Acquia Creek an
Fredericksburg. If you want any me
TO accompany you, pick them out :
know two men llat would like to 60, JiI
answered. Well, get them, and be bac
rs soon as possible Away went Jil
over to lhe couiraband camp, and return
isg almost Immediately, brought into ou
presence two very intelligent looking da
/ kies. Are you all ready inquired u
general. An ready, SIR the trio respol
. ded. Well, Jim you take my pistol, sai
} Gen. Sckles, unbucklmg il from bis be
. 'and if you are successful | will give u
Sle0.' jim hoped lie would be, and br
! Ing US goodbye, started off for tic gu
: boat Satellite, Capt Foster who land'
c them "A short distance below the Poiomi
i Creek batteries. They were to retu
e early IN the morning, but were unabl
a from the great distance they went ~ 4
n interior Long before daylislt on Sall
! day morning the gunbost was lying oft &
!, appointed place. As the day da@ne
:. Capt Fsser discovered mounted pick
: guard near the beach, and almost at Z
d same instant saw jim 70 the let Of the
y in the woods sighting his gun al the reb
II cavalry. He orderedlhe gig to be mann
4 AMI rowed 10 the shore, The rebels mo
n ed along slowly, thinking to intercept
e boat, when Foster gave them a shell, VIII
I scattered them. Jim with only one Of
{. original companions. aud two fresh g
3 trabands, came on board. jim lad /
IS lie other. Gen. Hooker ias transmit
70 the sar departaen. 40 account Of Jir
r reconnaissance to Fredericksburg, ?