Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss

From Encyclopediak

Banks, Nathaniel Prentiss (1816-1894), an American soldier and statesman, born at Waltham, Mass. He became editor of a local paper, studied law and was admitted to the bar, and was elected to the State Legislature in 1849, and to Congress in 1853, becoming speaker of the House. He was made governor of his state in 1857. When the Civil War broke out he was commissioned major-general of volunteers and was assigned to a command in the Army of the Potomac. He led the expedition against New Orleans in 1862, where, upon his arrival, he succeeded General Butler in command of the Department of the Gulf. In 1863 he opened the Mississippi by capturing Port Hudson and 6000 prisoners. He undertook the Red River expedition in 1864 against his will, but was forced to retreat, and soon after was relieved of his command. He was elected to Congress and served from 1864 to 1877, except from 1872 to 1874, and was again elected in 1888. He was for a long time chairman of the committee on foreign relations in the House.