He was mustered in upstate New York and mustered out a few months prior to the date of sale on the set in Washington. The set was sold in Washington therefore making it likely a set he used as a civilian surgeon after the war. There were many such sets. When I got this set it was apparent that the nameplate was reversed. That deepens the mystery. . .
Research is ongoing.
Turns out that Pope was in the 6th AND 10th NY heavy artillery. He was in the 6th just before being mustered out. The chief surgeon of the 6th was one John Adams. Of course, he wouldn't want Adams name on the top of the case so he flipped the plate and voila. . . . The Closed Case.