Evander McNair

Evander McNair (1820-1902) was a Brigadier General in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

Evander McNair was born on 15 April 1820 at Laurel Hill in Richmond County, North Carolina. His parents moved to Simpson County, Mississippi soon after his birth.

In his early twenties McNair opened a mercantile business in Jackson, Mississippi. During the Mexican War McNair joined the 1st Mississippi Rifles under the command of Colonel Jefferson Davis who would later become President of the Confederacy.

In 1856 McNair moved to Washington, Arkansas and continued his business there until Arkansas seceded from the Union. McNair raised seven companies of infantry which was augmented with other volunteers and designated the 4th Arkansas Infantry.

Evander McNair became Colonel of the 4th Arkansas Infantry Regiment on 17 August 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 Ben McCulloch was killed and Colonel Louis Hebert 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 4 November 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 31 December 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 division 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.

After the conflict McNair moved to New Orleans, Louisiana and then later to Hattiesburg, Mississippi and Magnolia, Mississippi.

Evander McNair died 13 November 1902 at Hattiesburg, Mississippi. McNair is buried at Magnolia Cemetery in Magnolia, Mississippi.