Related  Internet  Items
for historians:   categorized list of not previously published information as found in the displayed chapters of this book
Link to site containing many pictures of N. P. Banks   [name spelled incorrectly]
Link to genealogical site with detailed listing of N. P. Banks relatives
Link to official Congressional biography


Links to All Photographs and Ilustrations in Book 
Acknowledgments
Bibliography and Abbreviations
Index of Names, Organizations, Events  

Introduction
Introduction

Chapter 1,   Emerging from the Waltham Chrysalis
...ancestry, childhood, education, apprenticeship
pages 1-5, pages 6-10 , pages 11-14

Chapter 2,   Political Apprentice
... joins the Democrats and temperance, briefly editor, actor, then Rantoul follower, law student, marries, first elections
pages 15-20 , pages 21-25 , pages 26-30 , pages 31-37

Chapter 3,   Presiding in Boston, Learning in Washington
... state legislator, joins coalition with Free-Soilers, elected speaker of state House, slavery issues in Mass.,
.....aids Charles Sumner, pushes Mass. claims in Washington, follows Rantoul and Daniel Webster around
pages 38-43 , pages 44-50

Chapter 4,   Congressman Banks Goes to Washington
... elected to U. S. House, presides at constitutional convention, first efforts in Congress, votes against Kansas-Nebraska
pages 51-55 , pages 56-60 , pages 61-66

Chapter 5,   Riding the Political Tidal Wave
...just barely included in the 1854 Know-Nothing party sweep in Massachusetts, his views on immigrant policies and Catholicism
pages 67-72 , pages 73-79

Chapter 6,  A Northern Coalesence around Speaker Banks
 ...works for fusion of Free-Soilers and Know-Nothings in Massachusetts, same coalition under Republican label elects him
......Speaker of House after longest-ever, tumultous contest, 1855-56
pages 80-85, pages 86-91 , pages 92-96, pages 97-100

Chapter 7, Forging a Republican Party
... promotes Sam Houston, then John C. Fremont, for president, becomes temporary nominee of (North) American party to
......accomplish merger with Republicans, travels in fall for Fremont whose poorly-run campaign fails
pages 101-106 , pages 107-112 , pages 113-117 , pages 118-123

Chapter 8,  Bleeding Kansas, Bleeding Sumner
...Speaker Banks unusually fair in appointments and decisions, top-notch parliamentarian, appoints committee to
.....investigate caning of Senator Sumner but almost drawn into a duel, works with committee investigating Kansas war
pages 124-129 , pages 130-135 , pages 136-142

Chapter 9,  Gilding the State House Dome
...after short, new term in Congress, 1857, serves three terms as Massachusetts governor during depression, gradually
......sheds Know-Nothing ties, cuts spending, straddles major issues, beefs up militia, assists Fremont's ventures, gilds the dome
pages 143-148 , pages 149-155 , pages 156-162 , pages 163-167

Chapter 10,  In the Doldrums at the Windy City - Part I
...tries and fails to obtain Republican presidential nomination in Chicago, 1860
pages 168-173 , pages 174-178 , pages 179-181

Chapter 11,  In the Doldrums at the Windy City - Part II
...accepts position of resident director of Illinois Central Railroad in Chicago,moves family there, Lincoln considers him
......for his cabinet, promotes purchase of Illinois railroad land in early 1861 under tight control of RR president
pages 182-187, pages 188-193 , pages 194-199 , pages 200-204 , pages 205-209

Chapter 12 ,  Generals Don't Grow on Trees
...President Lincoln selects the inexperienced Banks as one of the most senior generals after Civil War begins,
.....the context explained
pages 210-215 , pages 216-221 , pages 222-226 , pages 227-229

Chapter 13,  Saving Maryland for the Union
...in June 1861 takes command at Annapolis and Baltimore, follows orders to arrest pro-Confederate officials 
.....the context of wartime suspension of habeas corpus explained
pages 230-234 , pages 235-237

Chapter 14,  Moving to the Front
...ordered to western Maryland to replace slow-moving General Robert Patterson who allowed Rebel force to go to Bull
.....Run, stops Maryland legislative meeting, as reserve division his men moved downriver to support the middle Potomac
pages 238-243 , pages 244-249 , pages 250-256

Chapter 15, Drilling and Picketing
... Banks's division called to support Union forces involved in Ball's Bluff debacle in October but cannot get ok to cross
....Potomac upriver in winter to take advantage of opportunities, drilling & picketing, some partying for soldiers
pages 257-262 , pages 263-268 , pages 269-275 , pages 276-283

Chapter 16 , Invading Virginia
...Genl. McClellan has Banks's division cross the river to occupy Winchester, Virginia.  While Banks moves half his men
....to the east, Stonewall Jackson is bloodied when his force tries to damage the others at Kernstown near Winchester
pages 284-289 , pages 290-295 , pages 296-299

Chapter 17, Chasing Stonewall in the Shenandoah
...Genl. McClellan has Banks's new corps follow Jackson south, slowed by transportation snafus, Lincoln takes direct
....command of Banks's men, Stonewall leaves the Shenandoah Valley entirely as Banks advances
pages 300-305 , pages 306-311 , pages 312-317 , pages 318-323

Chapter 18 , Retracing Steps
...in May 1862 Lincoln orders Banks's corps back north and dispersed, his men are demoralized at retromovement,
....Banks's emissaries fail to convince Washington to concentrate forces or send reinforcements
pages 324-330 , pages 331-337   

Chapter 19, The Winchester Races
...Stonewall Jackson marches army much larger than Banks's down Luray Valley, attacks Front Royal,  
....forces Banks's men at nearby Strasburg to rush north to Winchester, Stonewall attacks part of the Union column
pages 338-343 , pages 344-349 , pages 350-355 , pages 356-361
 
Chapter 20 , Dealing with Stonewall at Winchester
...Stonewall Jackson overwhelms Banks's smaller force at Winchester on May 25 on foggy Sunday morn while Union
....wagons head north, a civilian tries to kill Banks who then leads somewhat orderly, rapid retreat to Potomac
pages 362-367 , pages 368-372 , pages 373-377 , pages 378-381

Chapter 21 , Chasing Stonewall Again
...Lincoln has three forces coalesce on Jackson's, but Rebel cavalry keeps all at bay as Jackson heads south...when
....two forces from east and west are bloodied by Stonewall up the valley, Banks's corps stationed in the northern valley
pages 382-387 , pages 388-392

Chapter 22 , Invading the Heart of Virginia
...Lincoln assigns Banks's corps to the new Virginia army of the abrasive John Pope.  Pope issues tough proclamations
....but is stuck in Washington...finally on the scene, Pope almost finishes moving his men south when Stonewall attacks
pages 393-398 , pages 399-404 , pages 405-410 , pages 411-416

Chapter 23 , One Final Encounter with Stonewall
...Genl. Pope orders Banks's corps to the vicinity of Cedar Mtn. as Stonewall's men also arrive, Banks receives orders
....that seem to encourage some type of attack, explanation of the interaction with Pope's staff and the topography
pages 417-422 , pages 423-428 , pages 429-434 , pages 435-440

Chapter 24 , Acting Magnificently?
...Banks calmly decides to attack Stonewall's forces on broad front, one brigade nearly collapses all Rebel line, but all Union 
....forces have to pull back as additional Confederates arrive, then arriving Union corps stabilizes the front
pages 441-446 , pages 447-452 , pages 453-457 , pages 458-462

Chapter 25 , Aftermath of Battle
...Conflicting accounts of who did what where, then at night Jackson fails to move up the road, then after several days Jackson
....leaves, Banks badly injured by horse, Northern newspapers & Lincoln think well of Banks & the battle, controversies fester
pages 463-468 , pages 469-474 , pages 475-479 , pages 480-484

Chapter 26 , Relocation to Washington
...Banks ordered to burn trains in 2nd Bull Run retreat, his brothers die, McClellan assigns the convalescing Banks as head of
.....Washington's defenses and to direct intelligence about Virginia, Lincoln visits often in Washington where Banks now popular
pages 485-490 , pages 491-496

Chapter 27 , Keeping Secrets
... Lincoln selects Banks in Oct. 1862 for secret expedition to Texas(?), then instead to New Orleans, to replace Butler and
.....his corrupt(?) ways and problematic baiting of foreign consuls there.....he & others ordered to open the Mississippi River
pages 497-502 , pages 503-508 , pages 509-512 , pages 513-517

Chapter 28 , Fitting Out the Expedition
... Banks's young adjutant does much of the organizing of expedition which encounters difficult snarls...the rich men of NY
.....shipping suddenly befriend Banks...the soldiers finally land unannounced in New Orleans in overpacked ships 
pages 518-523 , pages 524-529 , pages 530-534 , pages 535-537
 
Chapter 29 , Replacing the Beast
... General "Beast" Butler tours the North--where his tough stands are popular--trying to get his New Orleans command back,  
.....Washington half-heartedly promises to return him, Banks moderates Butler's martial-law policies some, rejects bribes
pages 538-543 , pages 544-547 , pages 548-551

Chapter 30 , Setbacks and Reorganization
... The Rebels capture his outpost at Galveston after naval battle, Banks issues orders based on earlier, obsolete
..... version of Emancipation Proclamation, initiates work system for runaway slaves, is handicapped by artillery/cavalry
pages 552-557 , pages 558-563 , pages 564-569 , pages 570-573 , pages 574-577

Chapter 31 , A Way around Port Hudson
... The situations at Vicksburg and Port Hudson & in Federal forces described, Dr. Zacharie's activities, Genls. Grant and Banks
.... both blocked in some way by water problems, Weitzel's plan to bypass Port Hudson ok'd,  desertions and mutinies?
pages 578-583 , pages 584-589 , pages 590-595 , pages 596-600

Chapter 32 , A Visit to Port Hudson
... Banks takes most of army to near Port Hudson to help navy pass the waterfront, the roads to place where army could assist
..... are under water, but navy gets several ships upriver, navy angry at delays in capturing the town, soldiers unhappy no fighting
pages 601-606 , pages 607-610 , pages 611-614

Chapter 33 , Conquering the Teche
... Banks implements Weitzel's pincer plan on Bayou Teche....though the northern pincer too timid, they acquire black soldiers,
..... rich cotton caches and needed horses, destroy key salt source and devastate agricultural production as Rebels flee
pages 615-620 , pages 621-626 , pages 627-632 , pages 633-637 , pages 638-642   

Chapter 34, Confusion, Confusion, Confusion
... Banks and Grant trade infrequent, confusing, poorly written letters about cooperation, both generals change plans frequently,
.....Grant goes inland but does not update Banks, navy threatens leaving, Grant solves Banks's boat problem and lack of cavalry
pages 643-648 , pages 649-654 , pages 655-660 ,  pages 661-664 , pages 665-667

Chapter 35 , Port Hudson At Last
... Banks sends emissary to Grant who decides not to present his cooperation plan when he finds the Union forces besieging
.....Vicksburg, he reports it is ok to surround Port Hudson, Banks moves two forces to Port Hudson, the situation there explained
pages 668-673 , pages 674-679 , pages 680-684 , pages 685-688

Chapter 36 , Scent of Death in the Magnolia Forest
... The generals had expected success in first assault on Port Hudson that goes badly, Banks does not coordinate divisions,
.....generals do not cooperate, one general decides not to attack at all, but first, large-scale use of black troops aids acceptance
pages 689-694 , pages 695-700 , pages 701-706 , pages 707-712 , pages 713-717

Chapter 37 , Worth Forty Richmonds
... General Halleck misinforms Grant's army that Banks was ordered to join him, Genl. Grover plans the second Port
..... Hudson assault which also fails, Rebels threaten New Orleans from the west, and Union "short timers" cause problems
pages 718-723 , pages 724-729 , pages 730-735 , pages 736-740 , pages 741-745

Chapter 38 , Unvexed to the Sea
... A slow boat delays news of Vicksburg's surrender, Port Hudson surrenders, feedback from Washington on the surrender is 
.... slow to arrive, the threat to New Orleans eliminated, Banks's method of parole causes temporary problems
pages 746-751 , pages 752-755 , pages 756-759  

Chapter 39 , Enough Feathers to Cover the Eggs?
... Zacharie's spying? and peace-making missions, an extraordinary line of credit to Banks for cotton?, the Banks brand
.... of military justice, the Banks labor system implemented, and treasury supervisor Flanders begins a turf battle
pages 760-765 , pages 766-771 , pages 772-777 , pages 778-782 , pages 783-787

Chapter 40 , Too Many Chefs?
... Secretary Stanton gives Louisiana military governor, Shepley, overlapping authority with Banks, Democrat Shepley in no
..... hurry to have elections, Shepley's registrar goes from slave owner to ultraradical, says elections impossible, Lincoln angry
pages 788-793 , pages 794-798 , pages 799-802

Chapter 41 , Master of Everything
... Lincoln gives Banks full control over project to elect state government and change constitution, the two U. S. Representatives
.... vie for governor, and with a lot of help from Banks the voters choose pro-Lincoln, moderate Michael Hahn as governor.
pages 803-808 , pages 809-814 , pages 815-819

Chapter 42 , Launching a New Regime
... One of the most elaborate ceremonies ever in America inaugurates Gov. Hahn with military money, the general and
.....  wife are king and queen of 1864 busy social season, a different view of Banks's 1864 presidential ambitions
pages 820-825 , pages 826-831 , pages 832-835 , pages 836-838

Chapter 43 , Soldiers and Boats
... Most soldiers reenlist, workers conscripted from plantations, reasons why Banks probably avoided using African American
..... troops in later combat, Banks's supplies seized by Union forces upriver and the navy refuses to supply needed boats
pages 839-844 , pages 845-848

Chapter 44 , A Bare-Chested Irishman Defeats All the Yankees
... Because of French activities nearer to Texas, Washington decides to invade Texas instead of Mobile, instead of
.... intended coastal landing Franklin's party drawn into naval defeat at Sabine Pass, Grant's controversial accident 
pages 849-854 , pages 855-860 , pages 861-866 , pages 867-872 , pages 873-876 , pages 877-880

Chapter 45 , Marking Time on the Teche
... Banks plans in fall 1863 to move by land into southern Texas, but the route cannot support an army...when
.... transports arrive Banks decides to land in Texas, Genl. Franklin ordered to pretend still to march by land
pages 881-886 , pages 887-890  

Chapter 46 , Planting the Flag in Texas
... As the Rebels rush to wrong end ofTexas, Banks leads messy landing at tip of Texas on new ships to counter French
..... in Mexico, Federals occupy long outer islands and mouth of Rio Grande, smuggling resumes upriver
pages 891-896 , pages 897-902 , pages 903-908 , pages 909-913 , pages 914-917

Chapter 47 , Treasures of the Red River?
... The roles of Grant, Sherman and Porter in planning a Red River campaign,a perennially favorite operation of Halleck,
..... Banks forwards to all involved an engineer's report critical of operating on the river, Sherman diverted to Meridian
pages 918-923 , pages 924-929 , pages 930-934 , pages 935-938 , pages 939-942

Chapter 48 , Preparations for the Big Move
... Genl. Sherman visits New Orleans, wants three forces to converge toward far-away Shreveport, Banks accepts, but
..... some decisions not made, the Confederates confused about Union activities but send all troops toward Shreveport
pages 943-948 , pages 949-954 , pages 955-959

Chapter 49 , The Juggernaut Moves up Red River
... While Banks's men move north from New Orleans, Sherman's detachments go west from the Mississippi, the Sherman
..... units push the Rebels well upriver, taking two Rebel sites in two night operations under General Mower
pages 960--965 , pages 966-971 , pages 972--976

Chapter 50 , Over the Falls to Johnny's Place
... Red River fails to rise, and the Union advance is stalled a week at Alexandria getting the gunboats over the falls,
..... differing memories of events, the force advances north to Natchitoches, detachments erode Federal force
pages 977-982 , pages 983-988 , pages 989-993 , pages 994-996

Chapter 51 , What Lurks in the Forest Primeval
... Lack of light-draft supply boats and falling water delay the advance at Grand Ecore, Rebels divert river water into
..... a bayou, Banks chooses road through pine forest as best of bad choices as Confederates undecided what to do
pages 997-1002 , pages 1003-1008 , pages 1009-1014

Chapter 52 , The Confederate Day of Prayer and Killing
... Banks's forces move toward Mansfield, and Genl. Taylor's hidden force defeats and nearly surrounds the Union 
..... vanguard, they lose a wagon train also, but arrival of Genl. Emory's men halts the Rebel advance at dusk
pages 1015-1020 , pages 1021-1026 , pages 1027-1032 , pages 1033-1037 , pages 1038-1042

Chapter 53 , Unpleasant Day at Pleasant Hill
... The Rebels think Banks's men are retreating, attack at Pleasant Hill, are repulsed when enfiladed, Banks also
..... retreats due to logistics and most generals' opposition to advancing, endangered admiral's letters exaggerate events
pages 1043-1048 , pages 1049-1054 , pages 1055-1060 , pages 1061-1065

Chapter 54 , A Wasted Trip
... Disputes over whether Banks intended to return upriver as river supply route continues to fall, Grant orders Banks
.... not to mention new plans to leave for Mobile, retreat to Alexandria, fight at Cane River, Banks makes plans to stay with   
..... stranded fleet, his foes tell newspapers differently
pages 1066-1071 , pages 1072-1077 , pages 1078-1083 , pages 1084-1087 , pages 1088-1090

Chapter 55 , Rising Red Water
... Disputes over who agreed to have Bailey build a dam to raise river level that gets boats over, a Washington evaluator 
.....  arrives, Confederates close lower river, Porter's brother-in-law spreads wild stories up North, Alexandria burns
pages 1091-1096 , pages 1097-1102 , pages 1103-1107 , pages 1108-1112 , pages 1113-1116

Chapter 56 , The Expedition Sputters to an End
... Lincoln appoints Edward Canby as regional commander over Banks, army returns to Mississippi Riv.with two
..... engagements en route, Canby arrives, curious later repeat of Red River errors (Genls. A. J. Smith, Grant)
pages 1117-1122 , pages 1123-1128 , pages 1129-1134 , pages 1135-1139 , pages 1140-1143

Chapter 57 , Tidying up Some Civilian Problems
... Banks sees that Louisiana constitutional convention makes allowance for future black voting, Lincoln insists on govt.
..... worker support for constitution, while Banks is on leave Lincoln criticizes other Louisiana genls. for restricting state govt.
pages 1144-1149 , pages 1150-1155 , pages 1156-1161 , pages 1162-1166 , pages 1167-1169

Chapter 58 , Lounging around the White House
... On leave, Banks campaigns for Lincon, the president chides generals in Louisiana for not following Banks's
.... policies, Banks defends his policies before various committees and in public; Sen. Sumner blocks La.'s admission
pages 1170-1175 , pages 1176-1181 , pages 1182-1187 , pages 1188-1192

Chapter 59 , Sweet Stench of Corruption
... The colonel sent in 1864 to audit Louisiana corruption instead is "outed," Smith and Brady then sent to investigate,
.... Smith tries unsuccessfully to "get" Banks, report finds much wrongdoing but mostly ignores that of regular officers
pages 1193-1198 , pages 1199-1204 , pages 1205-1210 , pages 1211-216

Chapter 60 , More Wrongdoing?
...  Banks gave special permits to his ex-liquor commissioner who had a fortune in specie at his disposal, Banks had
.... agreed to obtain Confederate cotton cache using briber Weed, the investigators dislike La. state convention and govt.
pages 1217-1222 , pages 1223-1228 , pages 1229-1234 , pages 1235-1240 , pages 1241-1245 , pages 1246-1249