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Pope, John, 1822-1892 to Benjamin Welch

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04704 Author/Creator: Pope, John, 1822-1892 Place Written: Saint Paul, Minnesota Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 November 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope Height: 25.2 cm, Width: 20.1 cm Order a Copy

Discusses his relief from command of the Army of Virginia and the political maneuverings that have undermined his reputation and led to his relief. "Whether the impression already made upon the public mind by this cause of designed and persistent malice & misrepresentation, can ever be eradicated by the truth is doubtful, but if such sacrifice of my personal reputation will advance the cause in which we are all enlisted, I shall submit to it cheerfully and silently." Pope, who had been put in charge of all the Armies in the East not under McClellan was relieved of this command after his disastrous defeat at Second Bull Run. He was put in charge of the Department of the Northwest, dealing mostly with "Indian troubles" until 1865. Written on official "Department of the Northwest" stationary.

Pope, John, 1822-1892
Welch, Benjamin, ?-1863

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