Evander McNair

Evander McNair (April 15, 1820 – November 13, 1902) was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.

Biography

Evander McNair was born at Laurel Hill in Scotland 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.

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.