Gen. John Pope (1822-1892)
Major-General in the Union Army & the U.S. Army
He was born in Kentucky and graduated from West Point in 1842. He served as a topographical engineer during the Mexican-American War (1846-48), gaining valuable military experience and earning brevets for his service. Between then and the Civil War, Lt. Pope continued his engineering work, surveying railroad routes and exploring the western territories. When the Civil War began in 1861, he received a commission as Brigadier General of the U.S. Volunteers in Missouri under General John C. Frémont. He achieved early success in the Western Theater, capturing New Madrid and Island No. 10 on the Mississippi River in 1862, opening the river for Union advances.
His early victories brought him national attention and he was promoted to Major-General. In June 1862, Lincoln brought Pope east to command the newly created Army of Virginia. However, his boastful proclamations alienated his officers and troops. At the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, Robert E. Lee decisively defeated Pope's forces, ending his eastern command. He was reassigned to Minnesota, where he spent most of the remaining war years dealing with Native American conflicts, particularly the Dakota War of 1862. After the war, he continued serving in various frontier commands until he retired in 1886.
His early victories brought him national attention and he was promoted to Major-General. In June 1862, Lincoln brought Pope east to command the newly created Army of Virginia. However, his boastful proclamations alienated his officers and troops. At the Second Battle of Bull Run in August 1862, Robert E. Lee decisively defeated Pope's forces, ending his eastern command. He was reassigned to Minnesota, where he spent most of the remaining war years dealing with Native American conflicts, particularly the Dakota War of 1862. After the war, he continued serving in various frontier commands until he retired in 1886.
