Gen. Jeff Thompson- Capture Of The Platte Valley We have the Charleston, Mo. Courier, of the 22nd, in which we find a circumstantial account of the operations of Gen. Jeff. Thompson, resulting in his boarding the Steamer Platte Valley. The Courier says : On Monday last, Brig.Gen. Jeff. Thompson, with a part of his army and a battery of artillery, went from New Madrid to Price's Landing for some purpose, said by the St. Louis Democrat to be the capture of the Marie Denning, supposed to be coming down loaded with guns and ammunition for the new gunboats, aud also to capture Gen. Grant and a paymaster, who were to go up on the Platte Valley to Cape Girardeau. Well, it seems the Marie did not come. but the Platte Valley did, and Gen. Thompson had her rounded to in regular style, under fire from his cannon. Upon boarding her, however, Gen. Grant and the paymaster with the money for the Cape troops could not be found. Rumors say they were hid, but the writer says they were not, for they were left at Cairo. Gen. Thompson arraigned Capt. Postal and the other boat officers belore the bar, where, after a long time, as most of the men as well as the general, were old practitioners, they together with a number of U. S officers on board were sworn to support the government of Jeff Davis, and not to take up arms against Dixie, or give aid and comfort to its enemies, and were then a!l discharged, Capt. Postal and his boat going on their way rejoicing, minus half barrel of brandy which they presented to Gen. Thompson, who with his army, and the half barrel, evacuated Price's Landing and retired in good order, passing through Charleston to East Prairie, Where they were met by another detachment sent out to cut off any troops who might be detailed from Bird's Point against him. Here they encamped for the night, and the next day returned to their camp at New Madrid. --Memphis Daily Appeal., November 28, 1861

NOVEMBER 18, 1861.– Attack on steamer Platte Valley, at Price’s Landing, Mo. REPORTS, ETC. No. 1.– Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. Army, with orders for pursuit of Thompson. No. 2.– Brig. Gen. M. Jeff. Thompson, Missouri State Guard, of proposed capture of steamers. No. 1. ** UNION ** Report of Brig. Gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. Army, with orders for pursuit of Thompson. HEADQUARTERS DISTRICT SOUTHEAST MISSOURI,  Cairo, Ill., November 18, 1861. The steamer Platte Valley was attacked this afternoon by 100 or 200 of Jeff. Thompson’s men, commanded by Jeff. in person, and two officers of the Second Cavalry, who were on leave, were taken prisoners. They were paroled, and one returned here and gave the information. This took place at Price’s Landing, at 4 p. m. to-day. I want all the cavalry that is well armed sent out to-night by the river road, and 700 or 800 infantry sent at the same time by rail to Charleston. I will go from here to-morrow morning with infantry and cavalry, and try to catch him. Let these two commands be got off as early as possible tonight. {p.368} No baggage is to be taken, and only two days’ rations in haversacks. I would like Colonel Wallace to go in command of the expedition, and if he knows of a passable road from Charleston to Benton, let the command be doubled and one-half take that route. U. S. GRANT,  Brigadier-General Commanding. Col. R. J. OGLESBY,  Commanding U. S. Forces, Bird’s Point, Mo. --------------- No. 2. ** CONFEDERATE ** Reports of Brig. Gen. M. Jeff. Thompson, Missouri State Guard, of proposed capture of steamers. HEADQUARTERS FIRST MILITARY DISTRICT, MO. S. G.,  New Madrid, Mo., November 17, 1861-10 a. m. DEAR GENERAL: I will, with pleasure, undertake the expedition, but I have no hopes that I can remain long enough in ambush to catch any particular boat. I will do my best, and if I cannot get the one desired, I will get some other, and by this means stop navigation for a week, except under large convoy. This will give you time, by amusing the enemy’s gunboats, which I suppose to be of much importance at this juncture. I will not use your steamboats, but will go under curtain of my pickets. Yours, most respectfully, M. JEFF. THOMPSON,  Brigadier-General, Commanding. Maj. Gen. LEONIDAS POLK, C. S. A., Columbus, Ky. -------------- NEW MADRID, MO., November 17, 1861. DEAR GENERAL: Your favor, by the Prince, is at hand, and I will cheerfully undertake the expedition, but will not risk it on the route you propose. The enemy have been alarmed at the proximity of my pickets to Bird’s Point, and are now guarding the roads leading to the railroad. I will go by Sikeston Jones’ Ford and to the river, at Commerce, or below the Big Island and will startle the enemy, if I do not capture them. It will be impossible for me to capture any particular boat, as it will not do to lay in ambush too long; but I will get some boat and stop the navigation for a week, except under the convoy of land forces and gunboats. This will give you time, which is now of vast importance. I will start this afternoon, and be in position by sunrise to morrow. Yours, most-respectfully, M. JEFF. THOMPSON,  Brigadier-General, Commanding. Brig. Gen. GIDEON J. PILLOW, C. S. A., Columbus, Ky.