October 30, 1862 (Thursday): Pope Seeks Vindication

General John Pope (nps.gov)

SAINT PAUL, October 30, 1862.
Major General H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief:
    MY DEAR GENERAL: So long as the vindictive and unfriendly critiques of my late campaign in Virginia were confined to the statements of irresponsible persons or the stories of very badly informed newspaper correspondents, I have not thought it worth while to take any public notice of them, but I observe that of late certain officers of the Army, from motives not necessary to investigate, have begun to put forth crude criticism upon a campaign of the plan of which they knew nothing, and which was conducted under orders and information of which they are profoundly ignorant. I am aware that the Government intends in due season to investigate the conduct of several officers connected with that campaign, but in advance I would be obliged to you if (knowing, as yo do, all the facts necessary for a fair judgment) you would answer, so that I can use your reply, two or three questions which I submit herewith, if answer can be made consistently with the public interests:
1st. Was any mistake or blunder of any kind made by me in the conduct of that campaign or was it not conducted with skill and energy?
2nd. Was the withdrawal of the forces into the entrenchments at Washington due to any want of ability, energy, or skill, or any sort of mismanagement on my part, or was it not occasioned by circumstances beyond my control?
3rd. Was such union of the Armies of Virginia, and the Potomac made as early as contemplated or sufficiently early to enable me to make greater or more determined resistance to Lee's advance than I did?
    These questions are asked merely to have your personal opinion, as an answer to letters of ill-informed and ill-natured army officers. As your military judgment is unquestioned, and as you are fully acquainted with every fact and all the details of that campaign, your opinion will settle the matter as far as I am concerned.
    Very truly, yours,


   JNO. POPE,
   Major-General, U. S. Army.

Official Records, Series I., Vol. 12, Part 3, Pages 823-824.

Pope believed, as did many in the administration, that he had been dealt a bad hand in the 2nd Manassas Campaign by some of McClellan's generals.  General Porter would, in fact, be brought up on charges for failing to move promptly to Pope's aide.  But Pope was not satisfied to allow the wheels of justice to take their slow turn.  He wanted an acknowledgement from Halleck which would allow him to rebut charges made through his enemies by way of newspaper attacks.  

On November 7 Halleck would acknowledge Pope's letter, but decline to provide him with the written response he sought, saying "There is, however, an evident intention to blame for bringing any of McClellan's army from the Peninsula. That is to be made the real point of attack . You will soon hear the opening of the newspaper batteries on me."  Such was the war within the war being fought among the Union administration and generals.