Nathaniel P. Banks
Written as “General Banks”, “Gen. Banks”, “General N.P. Banks”, “Major General Banks”
Nathaniel Prentice Banks was a Massachusetts politician, a former congressman and governor, and a Union general (Wikipedia). He commanded the Department of the Gulf, where both brothers served: Special Orders No. 273, which discharged James from the 176th for promotion, was issued “By Command of Major General Banks” from the department’s headquarters (Special Orders No. 273, November 13, 1863).
The 176th was sent to Brashear City “to hold the place while Banks crossed over to Port Hudson” (Willie, June 4, 1863). That autumn Willie wrote that “General Banks, acting on the advice of Major Morgan, will hold the men” (Willie, September 21, 1863), and that Banks was “massing a large army at Brashear City” for Texas (Willie, October 22, 1863). James’s commission was “sent to General N.P. Banks for approval” (James, October 19, 1863), and in May 1864 James wrote to Banks himself to apply for a captain’s commission (James to General Banks, May 24, 1864).