John Jameson

John Jameson (1751 – November 20, 1810) was an American soldier, most notable for his service during the American Revolutionary War. He is equally notable for his missteps in matters concerning the apprehension of the British spy, John André, that allowed the escape of Andre's partner in the conspiracy, General Benedict Arnold, to surrender and turn-over the fort at West Point to the British. He was a resident of Culpeper, Virginia. Early life and family Born in 1751, in Fairfax, Virginia Colony, John Jameson was of Scottish descent and belonged to the distinguished Jameson family of Virginia. He was a graduate of The College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia. He was described as being six feet tall, blue-eyed, of a fair-complexion, with black hair. Colonel John Jameson’s uncle was Lieutenant Governor David Jameson of Yorktown, Virginia, who served from 1780-81 under the governorship of Thomas Nelson Jr. Military career In the spring of 1775, under an old oak tree in Fairfax, Virginia (now Culpeper), Jameson voluntarily enlisted with other men—from Culpeper, Orange, and Fauquier counties—to form the Culpeper Minutemen to fight the British in the War for Independence. These were the first soldiers raised for the war in Virginia. Jameson was made a captain and company commander in the Culpeper minutemen battalion. He and John Marshall were a "…leading spirit among the minute-men." This group of minutemen fought in the Battle of Great Bridge, the first Revolutionary War battle on Virginia soil, where the Americans defeated British troops under John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore—which temporarily ended British control of Virginia. Jameson was elected by the Virginia Convention on June 13, 1776, to be captain of the 3rd Troop of Horse. One of his competitors was Henry "Light Horse Harry" Lee. Jameson took command June 16 as captain in a Virginia regiment of dragoons. He was promoted to major on March 31, 1777, in the 1st Continental Light Dragoons. Jameson was transferred April 7, 1777, to the 3rd Continental Light Dragoons, where he fought at the Battle of Brandywine Creek later that year. While encamped with George Washington at Valley Forge, Major Jameson was wounded in a skirmish on January 21, 1778. Throughout that year and the next he remained at Washington's side. He engaged the British at the New Jersey Battle of Monmouth Court House, in June 1778, and was promoted to the rank of colonel in August 1779.