, 1863-01-17
Maior-ceneral Banks.

General Banks was born at Waltham, Massa-
chusetts, on the 30th January, 1861. His parents
were poor operatives who worked in the mills ;
young Nathanie went barefoot to the common
school, and there obtained all the education be
ever enjoyed as lad He was soon called upon
to take his place in factory to earn his living,
and for several years he worked regularly with
the other operatives, Simultaneously he assisted
in the establishment of debating society, and
contributed TO the columns of the local paper
He subsequently became editor of this paper, and
in 1912 was brought forward as Democratic can
didate for Assembly from Watham. He was de-
feated He ran again in 1S43, and in each of the
following four years, with equal non-success. AT
length, in 1S4S, Just as he thinking of seeking
fortune in California, he was elected, and remain
ed a member of the Massachusetts Leg
islature until he was sent to Congress, voting
and acting with the Democratic party. In 1850
he was chosen Speaker of the House; and in
1852 was sent to Congress, and became Speaker
of that body too, after one of the most memora-
BILE contests in our Congressional history. As
by his parliamentary skill, frmness, and fairness.
1t was well said of him, at the close of his term,
by political opponent, that he "stoOd so straight
that he almost leaned over to other side"
At the close of Mr.. Bank S term in Congress he
withdrew from public life, and after spending some
time in retirement at Waltham, accepted the post
of Superintendent of the Illinois Central Railway,
which had just been vacated by General Mcclellan.
He was discharing the duties Of this post when
the rebellion broke out 1t found him neither un-
prepared nor astonished. He went to Washing
ton in February, 1861; foretold the secession of
Virginia and the outbreak of the civil war, and
created quite commotion in the ranks of those
who pinned their faith to Mr. Stewards honeyed
phrases and rose-color visions. When war actu-
ally broke out, and troops were called for, Mr.
Banks was at once designated by the public voice
for military command, and he was accordingly
appointed Major-Genera by the President. With
his usual foresight he had been studying strategy
for some time, and when he took the field was
thoroughly competent to command. He was given
division of the Army of the Potomac, and set
to watch the upper fords of the river. Many
months were spent in training his army. At
length early in 1862, he crossed the river and ad-
vanced up the the Shenandoah Valley. He was
driving Jackson before him, and doing his work
well and faithfully, when the War Department
began to withdraw his troops. First brigade,
then regiment, then whole division were order
+bo 1,.fo 6 eo1
to be in danger so that at last General Banks
was left with only about 1000 men, while Jackson
lay opposite him with $4,000. The circumstances
soon became known to the willy rebel, and the at
tack on Front Royal followed. Banks retreat to
the North side of the Potomac, without the loss
of a gun and with a very small loss in men, is
rightly accounted one of the most brilliant militia
ry operations of the war. Jackson's disappoint-
ment at the escape of the prey he already deem
ed secured was severe. 1t was on the occasion of
this retreat that the incident of the little slave
GIRL whom Banks carried out of Virginia "on the
national cannon" took place nothing in his ca
reer has made him more popular than this.
When Mcclellan commenced his retreat from
the Peninsula, Banks was ordered forward to the
Rappahannock under Pope. He fought the bat
tie of Cedar Mountain with very inferior forces to
the enemy, and with Sigel's aid held him in check
until Mcclellan had retreated safely to Yorktown.
He did not take part in the ta.tes of Centerville
or Bull Run tie second wounded at the Kappa
hammock, he was doing duty at Washington as
military commander.
General Banks has now been appointed to the
command of Great Southern Expedition, part
of which has already sailed. That he will be
heard from in a manner which will rejoice the
Northern heart no one who knows his lucky star
can doubt-Harper's WeekLy.