The New York herald., 1862-12-29
and a having done hi best 70 please every

wHo was on D0ARD-0R nAHKA
Of cenrse the most Important psTssn on beard our
weasel the Commandsr-n-Chi Of The expeditiop,
General Nathaniel pvensss Banks, quist modest gen.
tlsman, who had PLEASANT smile and kind word for
every one who approached him. The Generals career,
both - statesman and sslder, y TO familiar with
NE public 70 require extended notice here Inc son
Of ~ ovsrsser in . cotton factory, 10 We born
n wathAm Massachusetts,, In 1919, and soon q hs
OLE enough put 70 work in the factory himself
Subsequently he became nachinist, and when, in lsls
be nrst elected to The Massachusetts House Of Re-
presentatves his entered the roll Of mem
bers "nachinist" Thus In early life he was thrown
upon bis own resources and ef the many self
made who have exercised such large influence In d.
rectinG the affairs Of tho nation. In 1850 General Banks
entered upon the profession of the law In the ocs Of
Robert Rantoul, Of Boston. In 1861 he was elected
Speaker Of the Massachusetts, House q Representatives
Of the most sbc and prominent advocates Of the
coalition between tho free sellers and domocras by which
tho whig party beaten He arst elected 70 Con-
grcss 1882 by the coalition, and In 1853 he was
member Of the nsion called 70 revise the ccnsu
tion Of Massachusetts,. Tho Contest, In the winter or
1855, by which he was elected Speaker Of the
House Of Representatives, was memorable fsF tho
length and determination exhibited on both sides.
Such Is brief outline Of tho civil career Of General
Banks-a In which him rise, by the strength
cn2IaCteT
obscsro factory boy to Of the highest and most
honorable positions In the government. Self reliance is
stamped upon every act Of his life, and Is apparent in
the smallest well - the greatest and most important
Easy polite and graceful In his manners he 10 sngulary
Tree from oil offensive airs and false dignity Early in
the he rendered his services 70 the government and
in position of major general Of volunteers conducted
the celebrated retreat Of his army through the shenan
doah valley in the face Of greatly superior force,
placing both bis and his baggage trains across the
river 10 safety, in spite Of the impeuous pursuit 81
sonewsl jackson. AZ tho battle Of Cedar Mountain he
showed himself DO . Of great personal courage,
and was highly complimented by the Commander IN
Chief. ssasa 3
BRiaApiER GEsxalL HAMILTON.
Neat TO General Banks In importance, among all
many passengers perhaps, was Brgadier General A. J.
Hamilton Military Governor Of Texas, BY appointment Of
the President Governor Hamiton's speeches In Now
York and elsewhere the great contest now raging in
this country, have given him wide celebrity in the
North and bis position fugitive Union Wan from
State which early went TO tho Southern conederacy
insured him ready hearing Governor Hamilton is
about fortyf years Of age, nearly six feet hgh and
physically well built and symmetrical. He 10 Of dark
complexion, with prominent and strongly marked fea-
tures and whose appearance would anywhere at
tract attention. He is native Of Aabama but about
Seventeen years since emgraed 70 Austin Texas where
he soon gained wide popularity and high reputation
In the practice Of the law He tho most popular
man among the people IN that part OF the State,
and especially SO with the non savehold-
ing class, who looked upon him AZ their representative
he elected to the Thrtysixth Congress an inds
pendent nomination, having denounced the attempt to
revive the African slave trade in the Congressional Con-
venon OF the democratic pary TO which he was dele
gate Tho candidate nominated by This regular Oonvsn
ton was in favor Of the revival Of the slave trade and
Hamilton took the Geld against him that issue. The
Congressional district very large ono, embracing
more than hundred and eight thousand square miles Of
territory and thrtyseven thousand voters and in
the habit giving democratic majority OF eight thou
aaad Such, however, Hamltons personal popularity
that beat his opponent and returned 70 Congress-
BY the handsome majority Of sixteen hundred.
Near the close OF his Congressional career Governor
Hamilton made strong and eloquent unisn spsech At
the end Of the session he returned 70 Austin, and
was elected delegate the state Convsntion which
dragged Texas out Of the Union In that Conventon he
was the champion Of the Union and denounced IN
bold and fearless words The schess o the secessonsts
He declared that he could learn how 20 commit
heh treason against the Southern confedcracy he would
commit IT, that in possible way or manner would be
recognize any such government; that he was citizen Of
the United Sates and loyal 20 bis government rst
last and always and this defiant position he upheld 70
u
opposition Taxes levied upon his property BY the
Confederate he would not recognize thai
pretended government 30 much 90 to pay them,
and his property was sold. He was cited 70 appear
before Confederate court; but he rofuEed-he knew
NO such court Thus, Of course, he was placed in
position Of deadly hostility with the agents and up
holders Of the new and pretended government. But
the Union sentiment Of Austin was very strong, and
powerful organization Of Union mon formed for mu
sual defence protection. Hamilton, - their rccos
nized leader and champion vas especial mark for
secession hatred and Il determined 70 put him down
at every hazard But ne held his ground with the great
est peruacity end hin friends stood by him maufuy.
More than once rebel oflcs holders were warned
that II Hamilton fell, by whatever his fall
accomplished they would be held accountable, and would
fall with him.
This state Of things continued FOR hole year. until at
last brigade or rebel soldiers sent 70 Austin with
instructions crush Hamilton and his friends Hamilton
discovered that the houses Of the most prominent Union
men were under guard, and finally he notified By
friend holding rank In tho rebel service tba:
aa order had been issued FOR his arrest, and
would be enforced in fow hours There
alternative but fight and that night he started
feet horse for the mountains. lie rode three hundred
miles horseback and escaped into Mexico, where he
was berended by the Mexican leaders, and safely reached
the free States He left behind him an interesting fa
miIy, consisting Of wife and five children Since his
departure he has received intelligence from them and
Ia quite ignorant OF their fate.
Governor Hamilton expects that so far as this expedi
ton shall operate in Texas will result in peaceful
popular revolution rather than In any brilliant military
operations. lie believes most confidently that shall
be welcomed not with bloody hands hosptabe graves
but as friends and dovcrers. II is TO be hoped
tainy that his ssnguinc expectations will be realized
Governor Hamilton is accompanied BY his stat, ~
follows
Assistont Adjutant Generot-Captan J. X. Herbert
Aid-de. .Camp--Major VIM. L. Burt.
Private Secrsayy-charles p Shaw.
Mr. shaw will DO remembered by tho legal profession Of
New York connection with the Texas land fraud con-
spiracy which involved tho impeachment Of Judge Wat
rous United States District Judge Of Texas and also che
title 10 brownsville and tho site or Fort Brown nov very