Civil War Lithograph, General Banks

Lithograph of Nathanial Banks, 1862

13 1/2 x 18 1/4

Excellent condition

This image is a hand-colored lithograph print of Major General Nathaniel P. Banks of the United States Army, published around 1862. The print was published by A. Winch (also associated with Wagner & Winch) at 320 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.

Overview of Nathaniel P. Banks

Identity: Nathaniel Prentiss Banks (1816–1894) was an American politician and Union general during the Civil War.

Pre-War Career: Before the war, he had a significant political career, serving as a Massachusetts state representative, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, and Governor of Massachusetts.

Military Role: Appointed as one of the first "political" major generals by President Abraham Lincoln, he lacked military experience but brought political influence that helped attract volunteers to the Union cause.

Civil War Service: He commanded forces in several key battles, including those in the Shenandoah Valley campaign against Confederate General Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson and the siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana.

Post-War Career: After the war, he returned to the U.S. House of Representatives and played a role in Reconstruction efforts.