Thomas L. Evans
by Benjamin Snedeker
Thomas L. Evans was a student at Otterbein College
before the Civil War. He graduated with a Bachelors of Science degree
in the 1860’s. Evans entered the war as a Lieutenant in Company K.
During the war Evans was promoted to the rank of Captain in Company C.
His unit was the 96th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The 96th OVI was formed
in Delaware, Ohio in August 1862. The 96th OVI was sent to the south
to defend Cincinnati, Ohio. Later in the year the unit was sent to
the south marching with General Sherman. In the spring of 1864 Captain
Evans was taken prisoner and sent to Camp Ford in Tyler, Texas. Later
in the year Captain Evans was traded for other prisoners. One of
the major battles that the 96th OVI fought in was that of Vicksburg.
The unit dug rifle pits only a few yards from the Rebel forts. At
the end of the war Captain Evans mustered out of the rest of his unit and
moved to Decatur, Illinois.
Bibliography
Dyer, Frederick. A Compendium of the War Of the Rebellion. Dayton, OH: Morningside Press, 1979.
Internet. Online. http://www.txarch.org/best/camp-ford/camp2.htm. 02/14/2001.
Internet. Online. http://www.bgsu.edu/colleges/library/cac/ms0641.html
02/14/2001.