Kentucky-born Union general (1822–1892) who led the Army of the Mississippi in a campaign that opened the great river nearly to Memphis. His failures after the Peninsular Campaign and at Second Bull Run in August 1862 precipitated his replacement by General George McClellan. War-dated ALS signed “Jno. Pope, Maj. Gen Cmmdg,” three lightly-lined pages on two adjoining sheets, 8 x 10, Department of the Northwest letterhead, March 21, 1863. Letter to Wisconsin governor Edward Salomon. In full: “Your letter of the 20th enclosing copy of a letter from James Dufendorf and E.E. Hastow has been received- To say the least, these gentlemen have stated the case in a manner so strong as to astonish me as it doubtless surprised you- What I stated to them was simply this, that neither Capt. Van Slyke nor any one else had the authority to state in a transportation pass that the persons holding it were going to Genl. Grant’s Army by my order as I had given no such order; that I had no sort of right to order any one to Grant’s or any body else[‘s] army; that Genl. McClernand was Genl. Grant’s subordinate officer & had not, as I conceived the right to be corresponding with any body whatsoever in relation to the business of that army, & that I, at least could not recognize such acts on the part of any subordinate, that whilst I was anxious and ready to do all in my power to promote the welfare & comfort of the troops in the field and as far as possible to aid the executive of the state in any proper manner, I had not the authority nor the right to order persons to Genl. Grant’s Army without his knowledge & or so far [as] I can know, against his wishes; that if Genl. Grant needs these medical gentlemen he has nothing to do except to say so & that I would use all means to get them to him, that otherwise I must decline to act in the matter and certainly could not sanction any paper which contained on its face the statement that I had issued an order which I had not issued.
These views were expressed without the slightest feeling and without the remotest idea of any sort of disrespect to the Governor of the State or in fact to any body else. In view of your application whilst I was at St. Paul, I enquired of the Genl. In Chief when I was last in Washington what should be answered to such demands. He stated to me that transportation for medical volunteers, nurses & supplies could only be furnished by request of the Medical Director of the Army to which they were to go, preferred through the Comdg. General of that Army. This opinion concurred with and I think you will see how improper & disrespectful it would be for me to be ordering persons to Genl. Grant’s Army without his knowledge or consent & without knowing myself whether they were needed. The matter is very simple- If Genl. Grant needs these gentleman he has to say so & they will be sent, otherwise it is not in my power to do it. I think Governor that I need but assure you that it is my purpose and my inclination to treat the civil authorities of this State with all possible respect and consideration.” Pope also adds a short postscript, signing at the conclusion, “Jno. Pope.” In fine condition, with a couple of ink spots to first page.
This letter is ripe with military intrigue and reveals one of the most the most frustrating things about Lincoln that trained military men like Pope and Grant had to deal with. Some politically appointed generals who had no military experience but an abundance of political clout made life difficult for more qualified officers. General John A. McClernand, in particular, was troublesome because he had direct access to Lincoln. Pope, obviously aware of that fact, here informs those critical of his decision that he answers to one person—his commanding general, Grant. Of course, such conflict was a “necessity” of war, as Lincoln needed officers like McClernand to raise regiments and deliver votes—but ultimately put his faith in Grant.
The conflict absorbed Pope when, as referenced here, he denied McClernand’s orders for surgeons and was then criticized by McClernand’s supporters. Pope’s defense, as outlined numerous times on these pages, was that he was playing the part of the good soldier and refused McClernand’s request because he “could not recognize such acts on the part of any subordinate ... (and) I had not the authority nor the right to order persons to Genl. Grant’s Army without his knowledge.”
Whatever McClernand’s motivation for trying to request medical personnel—whether truly for the benefit of troops or, had been his motive in the past, to somehow use the request to bolster his political motives, it was only one in a long line of transgressions. Glorifying his own military accomplishments and disobeying orders, Grant eventually dismissed his subordinate officer in June 1863, only to be given a new command the following year by Lincoln. A lengthy demonstration of the old military defense, most likely rightfully so, that one was simply following orders. Pre-certified PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
