Dear Jules362;
I highly suggest looking for the "Official Records of the Rebellion" and do a search with: N. Banks, Nath P. Banks and General Banks. There is a lot to this gentleman than just a brief summary.
Name BANKS, Nathaniel Prentiss "Commissary Banks"
Born January 30 1816, Waltham MA
Died September 1 1894, Waltham MA
Pre-War Profession Cotton mill worker, lawyer, politician, US congressman, House Speaker, state governor.
War Service January 1861 appointed Maj. Gen. of Volunteers, commanded V Corps, was soundly defeated in Jackson's Shenandoah Valley campaign, commanded II Corps at Cedar Mountain, commanded Dept. of the Gulf, Port Hudson (thanks of Congress), Red River campaign, held no further effective command.
Post War Career US congressman, US marshal.
Notes : He was commanding officer during the Baltimore, Maryland 'uprising' and the arrest of the police commissioners and--perhaps responsible for the occupation of Baltimore City, Maryland in the vicinity of Fort McHenry (the home of the Star Spangle Banner); as there had been confederate sympathies expressed. Plus, being a port where shipping for the Union supplying Washington City (DC) as well as the railroad Baltimore & Ohio aka B&O RR which reached west to the mountains and up the east coast--a needed service to transport troops, horses, supplies, etc. His title was in charge of: Dept of Annapolis;
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GENERAL ORDERS, No. 46
AR DEP'T, ADJ'T-GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, July 19, 1861.
I. Major-General Robert Patterson, of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, will be honorably discharged from the service of the United States on the 27th instant, when his tour of duty will expire.
Brevet Major-General Cadwalader, also of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, will be honorably discharged upon the receipt of this order, as his term of service expires to-day.
II. Major-General Dix, of the United States forces, will relieve Major-General Banks, of the same service, in his present command, which will in future be called the Department of Maryland, Headquarters at Baltimore.
Upon being relieved by Major-General Dix, Major-General Banks will proceed to the valley of Virginia, and assume command of the army now under Major General Patterson, when that department will be called the Department of the Shenandoah, headquarters in the field.
By order:
L. THOMAS,
Adjutant-General.
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HEADQUARTERS, July 22, 1861--1.30 a.m.
General BANKS, Baltimore, Md.:
Proceed to Harper's Ferry and relieve General Patterson, turning over your present command to General Dix.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
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General Banks was commander of Fifth Corps; under General McClellan;
Around April 1, 1862; having a tangle with General Jackson (
CSA) near Winchester, VA.
[excerpt from official record-Battle of Winchester]
The officers and men of this detachment again elicited the official commendation of General Banks on the retreat from the valley of the Shenandoah. This signal party, as was the case of that commanded by Lieutenant Wilson, acting signal officer, detailed to the corps commanded by General McDowell, served with the army corps to which they were attached throughout the summer and until (in September) the threes in front of Washington were consolidated in the Army of the Potomac for the defense of that city.(*)
* * * * * * * * * *
Very respectfully, general, your obedient servant,
ALBERT J. MYER,
Signal Officer, Major U.S. Army,
and Chief Signal Officer Army of Potomac.
The ADJUTANT-GENERAL ARMY OF THE POTOMAC.
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General Banks also was in command of the defenses of Maryland, near Point of Rocks, Poolsville--so he was active for certain, in 1861 and 62. He was charged with protecting the C&O Canal and areas that would lead from Maryland into Georgetown/Washington, DC and or the Northern held portions of Virginia (Arlington, Alexandria, Fairfax, Falls Church, Vienna and Chantilly).
Banks was at the Battle of Kernstown, Virginia --the Union won the day.
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, April 17, 1862.
To you and to the forces under your command the Department returns thanks for the brilliant and successful operations of this day.
EDWIN M. STANTON,
Secretary of War.
Major-General BANKS,
Mount Jackson.
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Reading the Official Reports--Banks was in many actions in the Virginia, West Virginia and Maryland area. [Ref. Shenandoah Valley Campaign]
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One also has to account that General Banks was tied up sitting in on a 'Court of Inquiry of General McDowell" for 62 days --(shesh), as a witness.
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General Banks also participated at the Battle of Cedar Mountain;
excerpt:
dgment of the country.
General Banks rendered most efficient and faithful service throughout the campaign, and his conduct at the battle of Cedar Mountain and during the operations on the Upper Rappahannock was marked by great coolness, intrepidity, and zeal.
am, general, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JNO. POPE,
Major-General, U. S. Volunteers.
Brig. Gen. G. W. CULLUM,
Chief of Staff and of Eng'rs, Hdqrs. of Army, Washington, D.C.
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Then, he was engaged at the Battles of Groveton and Bull Run.
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And, General Banks then got entangled with the "Fitz John Porter" Court Martial --that took many days.
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So, there is a lot of information by reading these Official Records. I recommend
www.e-history.com and do look at the maps if possible, as they may feature the battle's movements.
Hope this is of assistance.
Respectfully submitted for consideration,
M. E. Wolf
CivilWarTalk.com -
A free and friendly Civil War community. 
Nathaniel P. Banks 
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