Gen. John Pope:

Born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1822, John Pope graduated from West Point in 1842 with the rank of brevet second lieutenant. He worked in the Engineers as a surveyor in Florida and along the Canadian border, then served in the Mexican War. Promoted to first lieutenant in 1853 despite concerns over the quality and efficiency of his work, and in 1856 he rose to captain. At the outbreak of the Civil War Pope was commissioned as brigadier general of volunteers, and he fought first in the west, then transferred the east where he was defeated at the battle of Second Bull Run in 1862. In the wake of his defeat, Pope was sent back west to command the Department of the Northwest where he fought against the Sioux Indians for two years. In 1865 he left to command the Division of the Missouri, where he found himself demoted until he commanded the Department of the Lakes in 1868. In 1870 he resumed command of the Department of the Missouri, and held the post until 1883 when he became commander of the Department of California. He retired in 1886 with the rank of major general.