Old
Court House
Civil War Museum
Winchester, Virginia
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File 15 Colonel Edmund M Pope, 8th New York Cavalry, Co A
Inscription: Grouping of names of Gettysburg officers captured in the
July 1863 pursuit of Lee.
This is first line: "Maj Pope 8th
New York Cav Captured near Funkstown July 10"
Location: From SE corner go north 147 inches, up 36 inches,
The 8th NY Cavalry was at Funkstown on July 10. Captain Edmund M Pope was commander of Co A at muster. He was later promoted to Major and is so listed as the commander of the 8th NY Cavalry in General Hookers report January 31, 1863. This unit took significant casualties on the July 1, 1863 fighting on the right flank at Gettysburg. Major Pope is not shown on the Meade’s officer listing July 1, 1863. A report dated ???? prepared by WM Gamble Commander of the First Brigade, First Cavalry Division describes the battle at Funkstown on July 10. First they took the town, then withdrew because they had run out of ammunition. Then later the town was retaken with loss of life. This official report does not mention prisoners. However an online regimental history indicates that Major Pope was captured at Funkstown as he lay ill in a home near there which fell behind enemy lines. It appears that he took ill there on the way to Gettysburg, thus explaining why he is not shown in command on July 1. The account describing the taking then the releasing of Funkstown is consistent with the story of his capture. So here we have a Regimental commander taken to the Frederick County courthouse awaiting shipment to Richmond. He was eventually exchanged and later took command of the 8th NY a second time in 1864 and he was promoted to Lt. Col.
Civil War Data base makes no mention of his capture. Eventually promoted to Brig Gen 3/13/65 by Brevet. Born 2/21/37, died 6/5/1906
Military Record: Yes military record actually says captured July 16 at Hagerstown. This was prepared after the fact so not sure why the discrepancy. This could be why Civil War data base makes no mention of the capture. Also need to check cross reference file "430-US-1884" referenced on the file jacket
Pension Record: Yes Invalid application 1318895, Certificate 1095365
Widow application 894090, Certificate 653672