General Nathaniel P. Banks CDV, A standing view of the general in uniform. Although he seemed ill suited as a field commander, he contributed immeasurably in recruits, morale, money and propaganda. One of President Lincoln’s "political generals," Banks was commissioned in 1861 without prior military training. His military career was marked by mixed results: he suffered defeats against Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley in 1862 but successfully commanded the Siege of Port Hudson in 1863, securing the Mississippi River. Back mark E & HT Anthony, New York.