Evander McNair - Military Service

Military Service

Evander McNair became colonel of the 4th Arkansas Infantry Regiment on August 17, 1861. He led his unit into battle first at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in southwest Missouri and later at the Battle of Pea Ridge. When General Benjamin McCulloch was killed and Colonel Louis Hébert was captured, McNair became the commander of the brigade.

Soon after the Battle of Pea Ridge McNair and his brigade were transferred east of the Mississippi River. McNair's brigade was sent to General Edmund Kirby Smith for his invasion of Kentucky and fought at the Battle of Richmond.

On November 4, 1862, McNair received his commission as Brigadier General. Several other units were folded into his brigade including the 1st and 2nd Arkansas Mounted Rifles (dismounted), the 4th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, 30th Arkansas Infantry Regiment, 4th Arkansas Infantry Battalion, and Humphrey's Arkansas Artillery Battery.

On December 31, 1862, McNair and his troops participated in McCown's charge on the Union right at the Battle of Stones River near Murfreesboro, Tennessee. In May 1863 McNair and his division were sent to reinforce the Army of Tennessee under General Joseph E. Johnston for the relief of the siege at Vicksburg, Mississippi. McNair participated in the various battles around Jackson, Mississippi.

At the Battle of Chickamauga McNair's brigade participated in exploiting the break in the Union lines that turned the battle for the Confederates. During the fierce fighting McNair was wounded and both he and his brigade were sent to Mississippi for recuperation. In 1864 McNair was transferred to the Trans-Mississippi Department where he served for the remainder of the war.