Major General John Pope was made commander of the Department.
Immediately upon arriving in St. Paul, General Pope sent letters to the Governors of Iowa and Wisconsin for additional troops to assist the 5th Minnesota Infantry Regiment.
In 1864 companies of the 30th Wisconsin Infantry Regiment saw service in the Minnesota and Dakota Districts, too.
On February 17, 1865, the Montana and Dakota Territories west of 110 degrees west longitude were also attached with Major General Pope, who was elevated to commander of the Division.
The Department of the Northwest through the remainder of the Civil War consisted of the Districts of Wisconsin (under Brig.