The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-10-02

The late Ma. -Gen. John Pope was
graduated from West Point in 1912, rank
ing seventeenth in a class Of fifty-six
members. which included Generals Rose
Grams, Longstreet. Sykes, Newton, Eustis,
A. p. Stewart. McLaws. Doubleday, D. II.
Hill, Dana and Van Dorm.
In July, 1862, after the defeat of Nc
Clellan before Richmond, Gen. Pope was
summoned to Washington City by Gen.
Halleck from the West, where he had dis
tinguished himself as an energetic and
successful corps commander. On his ar
rival Gen. Pope was placed in command
of 'the Army of Virginia." made up Of
some 5000 men. including the commands
of Mcdowell, Fremont, Banks and Sigel.
The military situation at that time was
alarming. Gen. Mcclellan, with an army
of 81 900 mon, was in an impregnable posi-
ton at Harrison's Landing on the James.
his front protected by earthworks, while
his rear and TANKS were covered by gun
boats. Pope. with an army of % 600 heter-
ogeneous troops, was covering Washington
City. Lees victorious army, about So, 600
strong, was at Richmond.
President Lincoln, whose military com.
mon sense was always sound. pointed out
to Halleck that Lee could rush his army
on Washington, destroy Pope's forces and
occupy the city before Mcclellan could or
would come to its rescue. Lincoln said:
Lee stands between Mcclellan and Pope
and he can hit either one at his will with
20, &C. ha 9TH
within supporting distance; these divided
Union armies must be united to confront
Lee; / cannot send Pope to Mcclellan,
for then Lee would occupy Washington,
30 | must order Mcclellan to join Pope"
This order reached Mcclellan the Sd
of August, but he did no. begin to
move his army until the 14th In the
meantime Lee had anticipated McClellan's
movements, for his column under Jackson
struck Banks corps at Cedar Mountain,
August 9. and defeated il. OF McClellan's
army of 81, 900 men only 1900 joined
Pope. Thirty thousand Of the finest
troops of the Army of the Potomac, the
corps of Franklin and Sumner, marched
at the rate of six miles day with good
roads and fine weather to the aid Of Pope.
Pope displayed great energy and courage.
lie worsted Jackson at Groveton. August
20. sni, counting upon the arrival Of sum-
ner's and Franklin's troops as sure, next
day he fought Lee and was defeated.
Pope's only serious biunder was his
fighting Lee on the 3oth. instead of falling
back the night of the 10Th and forcing a
junction with McClellan's tardy reinforce
ments. Pope trusted to Halleck's tele-
grams. when his knowledge of human
nature should have taught him that Nc
Cellsn would be sure not TO arrive in time
to win a victory for Pope, whom McClel-
| Ian, Franklin and William L. Smith
cordially hated because of his general
order. which was thought 10 reflect upon
| the Army of the Potomac and Mcclellan.
Is was "pus up JOB" 10 ruin Pope, and
| yet Pope never ought TO have fallen into
| the trap: he should have forced junction
| by falling back the night of the oath. in
| stead of believing the assurance of Halieck
that Franklin and Sumner would be up
il the morning"
Pope had faults OF manner and temper.
but he made better fight with an army
Of 52oo heterogeneous troops against
| Lees 81. 600 than Mcclellan ever made in
| his WHO'S military career, for he fought
| his troops for all they were worth. and he
was ~orsted in his campaign only by the
| treachery AMI perfdy ot Mcclellan and his
corps commanders. wao knew if Pope was
beaten there would be day OF resurrection
for McCle Ian Pope was nci beaten half
go badly ~ Mcclellan Vas on the PENN
sala; he was better and pIuekier soldier
than Mcclellan and deserved better fate
than 10 be the victim Of treachery.
| -------------------
The New lorA Ifals.fss makes this per.
tiaent inquiry: "Eyea # the Democratic
taF.a-snashSrs were 10 enact iree-wo sol
1 k..I and as they pEUiusS 10 believe t..cy can