People

Thompson, M. Jeff

Virginian by birth, Thompson emigrated to Missouri in 1847 and settled in St. Joseph. By 1860, he was St. Joseph’s mayor; It was Thompson, on April 3, 1860, who handed the mail to the first rider in ceremonies inaugurating the Pony Express.

Thompson joined the Missouri State Guard at its inception, and by the end of 1861 had reached legendary status as the “Swamp Fox,” operating an independent command in southeast Missouri. Never actually commissioned an officer of the CSA, Thompson operated almost exclusively in Missouri throughout the war. Captured in August, 1863 in Arkansas, he spent time in St. Louis’ Gratiot Street prison, and at Fort Delaware and Johnson Island prisons, before being exchanged in 1864. He then joined Price’s 1864 expedition, and was given command of Shelby’s Iron Brigade as Shelby was promoted to division command. He was one of the last southern commanders to surrender, on May 11, 1865 in Jacksonport, Arkansas.

Thompson resided in New Orleans after the War, and died in 1876. He is buried in Mt. Moriah Cemetery in his home town of St. Joseph.

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