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. Interesting war-date ALS, one page both sides, 8 x 9.75, Headquarters, Department of the Northwest letterhead, October 19, 1863. Pope writes to the wife of Senator Lyman Trumbull of Illinois. In part: “The deep sympathy and the active interest in the comfort & welfare of the Army which have so signally been exhibited by the loyal ladies of the country and which have been felt & appreciated by every officer & soldier in the service, have exercised a deep & wide spread influence and have gone far to keep up in the soldier the patriotism and the seal which have made him dear to his countrymen and formidable to his enemies. History furnishes no parallel to the earnest devotion of the loyal ladies of this country to the great cause in which we are all enlisted, and on every field of battle & in every hospital the wounded and the sick bear daily testimony to the ministering care which has alleviated suffering and offered kind words & substantial comfort where they have been most needed & most highly prized. The most tormenting anxiety of the soldier who has left his home to fight the battles of his country, is for the welfare & support of the family he has left behind him and it is not too much to say that this very natural feeling, founded, in many cases, upon bitter experience of carelessness and neglect on which he had no control has been the occasion of more encouragement and discontent in the Army than all other causes combined. This prolific source of trouble it is the object of the association of which I am glad to know you are a prominent member, to remove and may God grant you every success in an undertaking so worthy in itself and so beneficial in its results both to the Government and the Army [evidently referring to the Northwestern Sanitary Fair in Chicago, which opened on October 27]. Once free the mind of the soldier from this absorbing care, and you add tenfold to his efforts in a cause, to the support of which he is impelled by every motive of honor & patriotism, and by the knowledge that he is attended by the earnest sympathy and the heartfelt progress of his patriotic countrywomen.” In very good condition, with mild toning and soiling with a few scattered spots, a few small separations at folds, wrinkling, and light show-through. The writing is clear and dark throughout, and the signature is unaffected. R&R COA.
