The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1862-04-29
Potomac Jim.

Potomac Jim.
Jim Lawson was one Of thirty contra
bands taken from Acquia Creek by Col.
Graham. He has been near the camp Of
Gen. Hooker's division. \ curious re-
cord is given of his doings, which is
presented thus /:
James lawson was born near Hemp
stead, Virginia, and belonged 10 a Mr..
Taylor. He made his escape last De-
comber. On hearing his praises spoken
by The captains OF the gunboats on the
Potomac, | was rather indisposed to ad-
NIT the possession of all the qualities
they gave him credit for, and thought
possibly his exploits had been exaggerat-
ed. His heroic courage, truthtuness
and exalted Christian character seemed
too romantic for their realization /; how
ever my doubts on that score were dis
PEELED, and am a witness of Lis last
crowning act
Jim, after making his escape from
Virginia, shipped on board the Freedom,
a flag gunboat Lieut.. Samuel Magaw
commanding. He furnished Capt. Ma
gaw with much valuable intelligence
concerning the rebel movements, and
from his luiet, ery-day behavior, soon
won the esteem Of the commanding Off
Ger.
Capt Magaw, shortly alter Jim's ar
rival on board the Freeborn, sent him
upon a scouting tour through the rebel
Notifications, more 10 test his reliability
than anything else ; and the mission. al
though fraught with great danger was
executed by Jim in the most faithful
manner. Again jim was sent into Vir.
ginia, landing at the White House, below
Mount Vernon, anl going into the in
terror for several miles, encountering The
fire OF picket guards and posted sentries,
returned in sa ely to the shore, and was
brought oG in the Captains gig, under
the fire Of rebel plusketry,
jim lad a wife and four children At
hat time still in Virginia. They be-
longod to the same man that jim did );
he was anxious TO get them, yet ii seem
ed 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 wish
ed to bring off lis family.
Why, jim, said Capt. Magaw.
e how will you be able to pass the pick
els ?"
4 want to Try. Captain l think /
can get 'em over safely" meekly repli-
ed Jim
We'll, YOU have my permission :"
and Capt Masaw ordered one Of tie
gunboats 10 land jim that night on what
ever part of the shore Jim designated,
and return for him the following even.
ing.
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 giyeu them log house
to live in, just back Of his own quarters.
jim ran the gauntlet of the sentries un.
harmed, never taking to the roads, but
keeping in the woods-every footpath OF
which and almost every tree he knew
from his boyhood up.
Several weeks afterwaid, another re-
connoissance was planned, and jim was
sent on it. He returned in safety, and
was highly complimented by Generals
Hooker, Sickles, and the entire flotlla.
On Thursday, week ago, il became
necessary 70 obtain correct information
Of the enemy : movements. Since then,
batteries at Shipping and Cockpit Points
had been evacuated, and their troops
moved to fredericksburg. Jim MAS the
man picked out for the occasion. by Gen.
Siokles and Capt Magaw. The General
came down TO Col. Graham's quarters
about nine in the evening, and sent for
Jim. There were present, the General,
Col Graham and myself. Jim came in
to the Colonefs.
JIM" said tho General, Il want
you to 90 over 10 Virginia tonight, and
find out what forces they have at Aqua
Creek and fredericksburg. lfyou want
any men to accompany YOU, pick them
out !"
Il know tlco men that would like to
go" Jim answered.
'Wcll, get them and be back as soon
as possible"
Away went Jim over TO the contra
band camp. and returning almost i'm.
mediately, brought into our presence tive
very Intelligent looking darkeys.
i" Are YOU all ready ," inquired III,
General.
I" All ready, SIR" the trio responded.
Wei, here Jim, You take my pistol.
said General Sickles unbuckling it from
his belt. land ii you are successful,
will give YOU $780,"
Jim hoped he would be. aud billin
Us good bye started of Tor the gunboS