Pope, John, 1822–92, Union general in the American Civil War, b. Louisville, Ky. He fought with distinction at Monterrey and Buena Vista in the Mexican War and later served with the topographical engineers in the West. At the outbreak of the Civil War, Pope was made a brigadier general of volunteers. He served in Missouri under John C. Frémont and then under Henry W. Halleck. He was promoted to major general in Mar., 1862. As commander of the Army of the Mississippi, Pope captured New Madrid and Island No. 10 and took part in Halleck's move on Corinth. These successes brought him the command of the newly organized Army of Virginia (June, 1862) and a brigadier generalcy in the regular army. He attributed his bad defeat at the second battle of Bull Run to alleged disobedience on the part of Fitz-John Porter. Removed from command, Pope later campaigned against the Sioux. He commanded (1870–83) the Dept. of the Missouri.
See study by R. N. Ellis (1970).
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