Nathaniel Prentice Banks was an American politician from Massachusetts and a Union general during the Civil War. A millworker, Banks became prominent in local debating societies and entered politics as a young adult. Initially a member of the Democratic Party, Banks's abolitionist views drew him to the nascent Republican Party, through which he won election to the United States House of Representatives and as Governor of Massachusetts in the 1850s. At the start of the 34th Congress, he was elected Speaker of the House in an election that spanned a record 133 ballots taken over the course of two months.
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF ANNAPOLIS, Fort McHenry, July 1, 1861. To the People of the City of Baltimore: In pursuance of orders issued from the headquarters of the Army at Washington,…
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MARYLAND, Fort McHenry, July 24, 1861. ; Sir: I received your confidential dispatch last evening, with the let___ ter inclosed, concerning the ‘”‘ Winans arms.”* Major-General Banks…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, Washington, July 27, 1861. Major-General Banks, U. S. A., Harper’s Ferry, Va.: I have ordered Captain Newton back to you. I do not ask that you…
Washington Washington, August 16, 1861. General BANKS, Commanding, Sandy Hook: From information received this evening it is deemed important that the change of position ordered by General-in-Chief should be made…
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, August 19, 1861. August 19, 1861. Major-General BANKs, U. S. A., – Commanding, dec., Sandy Hook, Md. : You are authorized to withdraw your batteries and…
HEADQUARTERS NEW JERSEY BRIGADE, OCTOBER 16, 1861. October 16 [1861]. In forwarding this report I have to mention the prompt conduct of my aide, Captain Wilson, who, hurrying to the…
HEADQUARTERS, Baltimore, November 14, 1861. GENERAL: I send you 500 of the Seventeenth Massachusetts Volunteers, under Colonel Amory, which will make your command a very formidable one. I will send…
March 16, 1862. Sin: You will post your command in the vicinity of Manassas, intrench yourself strongly, and throw cavalry pickets well out to the front. . Your first care…
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAO, March 16, 1862. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Oommanding Fifth-Oorps, Army of the Potomac: Sir: You will post your command in the vicinity of Manassas,…
Strasburg, March 25, 1862. Siz: I have the honor to report that in obedience to your order of the evening of the 22d instant I proceeded with the companies of…
HEADQUARTERS FIFTH CORPS D’ARMEE, ARMY OF THE POTOMAQ, Strasburg, Va., March 26, 1862. Sig: In reply to your communication I will state what I observed at the first attack by…
On board the Oommodore, April 1, 1862. GENERAL: The change in affairs in the valley of the Shenandoah has rendered necessary a corresponding departure—temporarily at least— from the plan we…
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF THE POTOMAO, On board the Oommodore, April 1, 1862. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Oommanding Fifth Corps: GENERAL: The change in affairs in the valley of the…
WAR DEPARTMENT, Washington, April 17, 1862. To you and to the forces under your command the Department returns thanks for the brilliant and successful operations of this day. EDWIN M.…
May 21, 1862. May 21, 1862. Major-General BANKS, Strasburg: Please report immediately the number and position of the force in your command, and whether any, and what, of Colonel Miles’…
May 24, 1862. May 24, 1862—2.6 a. m. Maj. Gen. N. P. BANKS, Strasburg : Arrangements are making to send you ample re-enforcements. Do not give up the ship before…
WAR DEPARTMENT, May 24, 1862. May 24, 1862—2.6 a. m. Arrangements are making to send you ample re-enforcements. Do not give up the ship before succor can arrive. Your dispatches…
WAR DEPARTMENT WAR DEPARTMENT, May 25, 1862. General BANKS, Williamsport, via Hagerstown : Two of your telegrams have been received. They have greatly relieved our anxiety respecting your command. We…
PETERSBURG PETERSBURG, May 26, 1862. Baggage being behind, your telegram not translated till now. \Vhat you are doing is of the greatest possible service (sending forward animals, wagons, and commissary…
HEADQUARTERS THI2D BRIGADE, Camp near Williamsport, Md., May 28, 1862. GENERAL: I take the first moment of leisure from arduous military duties to report in brief the events of an…
May 31, 1862. [May 31, 1862. Sir: In pursuance of orders from the War Department, Col. John R. Kenly, commanding First Maryland Volunteers, was sent on the 16th day of…
Manassas Junction, August 28, 1862. I sent you a dispatch a few minutes ago directing you to move on Gum Spring to intercept Jackson. Since then I have received your…
Washington City, January 24, 1863. Major-General MOCLERNAND: GENERAL: Your communication of the 3d instant in relation to the Vicksburg operations has received my earnest attention. I think you need no…
HEADQUARTERS TRANS-MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT, Shreveport, La., July 9, 1863. GENERAL: I have: just returned from Monroe, and find your letters of the 27th ultimo. I congratulate you most cordially upon your…