Chronology of Wartime Service

Feb. 12, 1863

Brigade encamped near Port Royal, Virginia. Brig.Gen. A. Lawton had largely recovered from his wounds received at Sharpsburg (Antietam) and was pressing Richmond authorities to be returned to active service. For unknown reasons (but perhaps due to concerns about his age and stamina in the aftermath of a serious wound), he was not restored to command of his brigade. Later (in Feb. 1864), Lawton was appointed Quartermaster General of the Confederate armies by President Jefferson Davis over his objections, but later resigned that post when the appropriateness of the appointment was questioned in the public papers.

When it became obvious that Gen. Lawton would not be returning, and prompted by concerns that an officer unknown to them (and perhaps a non-Georgian) would be placed in command for the upcoming campaign, 52 officers of Lawton's Brigade penned the following letter on Feb. 12 to General Samuel Cooper, adjutant and inspector general of the Confederate army:

Camp of Lawton's Brigade
Near Port Royal, VA, Feb. 12, 1863

Genl. S. Cooper A & I General
Richmond, Va.

General,

The undersigned officers of Lawton's Brigade, Early's Division would respectfully ask to be permitted to state to his Excellency, the President that it is their desire if the same can be done consistently with the public interest, that Colonel C. A. Evans of the 31st Ga. Regiment may be made a Brigadier General. Col. Evans with one short interval has been in command of Lawton's Brigade since the 20th day of September last, and by his gallantry in action and his uniform good conduct in the management of the brigade has in our opinion, demonstrated his fitness for the position to which we have suggested his promotion.

We have the honor to be General,
Very respectfully
Your obt. Servants

Source: Intrepid Warrior, p. 147 (Evan's Papers)

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Last Updated: Jan. 21, 2001