Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-09-01

left to guard the Shenandoah with two
divisions, one Of which was afterward
withdrawn, and Gen. Banks, with 5000
men. was fyriously attacked by stonewall
Jackson and his entire corps. clever re-
treat, supported by q stubborn fight, pre-
vented the capture of the entire command.
Through good generalship the bulk of the
army crossed the Potomac at Front Royal
May 20.
Gen. Banks corps was ordered to the front
near Culpeper Court House on August O.,
1862, and late in the afternoon of that day
the battle of Cedar mountain took place,
lasting well into the night. Banks corps
held the position against a largely superior
force and. being strengthened during the
night, forced the confederates to retreat
to the Rapidan before the morning of
August IL.
Defending Washington.
After participating In Gen. Siegers cam
paign in September. Gen. Banks was placed
in command of the defenses of Washington
during the progress of preparations for a
secret expedition by sea to New Orleans.
He was assigned to the command of this
expedition, which sailed from New York in
November and December, and, on reaching
New Orleans, he succeeded Gen. Butler in
command of that department.
Early In April of 1863 he led his army up
the Peche country, but encountered no very
formidable opposition as far as the Red
river. Thence he crossed the Mississippi
and invested Fort Hudson in connection
with the Farragut fleet. After several un-
successful attempts to storm the works, in
volvfng heavy losses to the assaulting col
umns, the news of the surrender of VickS-
burg was received early in July, and, on the
9th of that month. the Fort Hudson garri-
son of 5000 capitulated, and thus the Mis-
sissippi was opened to the sea.
The Red River Expedition.
In the following spring Gen. Banks army,
supported by powerful fleet, was sent up
the Red river to regain control of western
louisiana. He was Joined by Gen. A. j.
Smith, with 10000 men. The combined army,
urder the command of Gen. Banks, was
defeated at Sabine Cross Roads by the con-
federates. under Gen. Richard Taylor and
fell back. after heavy losses, to Pleasant
hill, where, on the following day, the con-
federates. renewing the attack, were re-
PEELED with great loss, and the Union army
continued to retreat to Alexandria.
Here difficulty of serious moment was
encountered by the fall of the water in the
Red river, so that the gunboats were nm
able TO descend further until they Were
saved by the engineering skill of Lieut.
Col. Joseph Daley. The whole force then
retreated to the Mississippi Gen. Banks
has been censTred for the failure of this
expedition. which, however, was under
taken without his advice and despite his
protest.
During his command of the Department
or the Gulf he endeavOred TO reCrganize the
civil government of Louisiana, but did not
accomplish 1t in a manner satisfactory to
the Inhabitants.
Returned to Congress.
In May. 1864, he resigned his commission
and returning to Massachusetts was elect
ed to Congress from his old district With
the single exception of defeat in 1872
when he was active in the presidents
canvass of Horace Greely, Gen. Banks was
reelected to Congress continuously until
1877. For a long time he was chairman of
the committee on foreign relations. For
several years after his retirement from
Congress he served as United States mar
shal for Massachusetts. He served in this
capacity from 1919 to April, 1888 In the
fall of that year he was elected to the Fifty
frst Congress as a republican from his
original district, receiving 14,029 votes
against 1886 for his democratic competitor
In consequence of his advanced age Gen
Banks did rot take very active part in
the proceedings of this Congress, and did
not stand for reelection in 1890. He had
one daughter, Maud Banks, who has
achieved considerable fame as an actress.