Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-10-04

Ger. NJ, Jefferson Thonipson,or Missouri.
The Memphis "Avalanche" of Thursday last
after announcing the arrival Of this officer,
says:
There was considerable curiosity manifested
by our citizens TO see this noted Missouri
cheftain, but his unasSnming manners and
plainneSS OF dress puzzled everybody, and
threw nearly all oil the scent. In appearance
Gen Thompson is as peculiar as his daring
acts Of bravery. He stands fully six feet in
height and is very slender. TO look at him,
one would suppose him to be much taller, but
his slender frame adds to his stature in re-
markable degree. His features are prominently
marked, with high cheek-bones, and the lines
of his face are expressive Of determination,
while his carriage is easy and graceful. The
most expressive characteristic Of his face is
his eyes. They ure dark hazle, and would
seem 10 pierce through and through the be-
holder. His dress is Of grey, with 4 brown
fur hat, which looks to have ''sccn service
in which is a white plume, fastened by single
star the only insignia of rank which he bears
if we except red silken sash.
As the reader is naturally anxious to obtain
information relative to an individual who now
occupies so large \ space in the public eye, we
give the following brief sketch Of Gen. Thomp
son. the accuracy of which, We think, may be
relied on, rs the incidents arc derived from his
personal acquaintanceS
Gen NJ Jefferson Thompson is native Of
Jefferson county, Virginia. His father was 4
man Of highly respectable standing, who mar
rvd Miss Broalus The General is the third
SON. One of his brothers was, If we mistake
not, i ,nc,nbcr Of the Legislature from Jefferson
county, some ten or twelve years since.
Alta youthful aye, after receiving ,note
rate education, rllc.son Thompson went to
Philadelphia, where he was engaged for time
II mercantile pursuits, but afterwards cmi-
grated to the West and settled at St. Joseph,
Missouri. That part Of Kansas territory ad'
jaccnt to 81. Joseph, together with Northwest
| ern Missouri. ,hcn hecatae his sphere of &C
tion. As civil engineer, his profession
called him under Governmental contracts with
different portions Of that region. st length,
however, confining his attention to a more
A-NNN N'"SNs'OH "iepiil tue SOi vi ~.
Joseph he soon became one Of the most use.
ful, prominent and popular citizens Of that
place. His uatiring efforts in behalf Of those
important improvements, the Hannibal and St
Joseph Railroad, and the St. Joseph and
MaySvillc Road, leading Westward through
Kansas brought his name lamiIiarly before an
appreciatiSe and grateful public and in a
short tune 10 was called from the office Of
land agency to that OF Mayor Of St. Joseph
That city became the second in population
and Importance in the State, and jeff. Tholnp-
SON. had much to do with its advancement
But q greater aud nobler task is now present
cd to him TO- pcrfulm lie vas then Colonel
of the militia in peace; he is now 4 General st
the head Of II brigade in war. in stature he is
six feet, with rather IL Slender figure, but
long and muscular. His countenancc is
pleasant, with a penetrating light blue eye
In word, he is cool, brave and commanding
in appearance; in action prompt and decisive.
Already he is styled tEo Marion Of the War,
and compliuuented as the Guerilla Chief Of
Missouri. His scquaintances predict for him
still more brilliant and useful career.