THOMPSON, Egbert, naval officer, born in New York city, 6 June, 1820; died in Washington, D. C., 5 January, 1881. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 13 March, 1837, served in Commander Charles Wilkes's exploring expedition in 1838-'42, and became a passed midshipman, 29 June, 1843. As executive officer of the schooner " Bonita," in the Gulf squadron during the Mexican war, he participated in the expedition against. Front, era, and the capture of Tobasco, Tampico, Vera Cruz, and Tuspan. His vessel covered the landing of General Winfield Scott's army at Vera Cruz, and captured several prizes during the war. He served in the steamer " Michigan" on the lakes in 1847-'50, and at Philadelphia navy-yard in 1850-'1. He was commissioned a lieutenant, 27 September, 1850, and was in the steamer " Fulton" in 1859 when she was wrecked. When the civil war began he was attached to the steamer " Powhatan," which went to Pensacola navy-yard, and contributed to the relief of Fort Pickens. He commanded the river ironclad steamer "Pittsburg," in the Mississippi flotilla, in which he participated in the battle of Fort Donelson, when he was obliged to run her ashore to keep from sinking. He was commended for gallantry in running the batteries of Island No. 10, for which he received the thanks of the navy department, and he took part in the attacks on Fort Madrid and Fort Pillow, and the battle with the Confederate rams. He was commissioned a commander, 16 July, 1862, served at the rendezvous at Philadelphia in 1863-'4, and commanded the steamer " McDonough" in the South Atlantic blockade in 1864-'5, and the steamer " Dacotah," of the South Pacific squadron, in 1866-'7. He was commissioned captain, 26 July, 1867, and was commandant of the naval station at Mound City, Illinois, in 1869-'71. He commanded the steam sloop " Canandaigua," of the North Atlantic squadron, in 1871-'2, and was retired on 6 January, 1874.