Evan Thomas – Captain, United States Army

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Evan Thomas was born on May 29, 1843 at Georgetown, District of Columbia, and died on April 23, 1873 at California.

During the Civil War, he served as a Lieutenant of Battery C, 4th United States Artillery. He was the son of General Lorenzo Thomas.

He was klled with the rank of Captain on April 23, 1873 while fighting the Modoc Indians under Captain Jack at what is now Lava Beds National Monument in California. During this encounter General Edward Canby was also killed.

Captain Thomas was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.


On April 26 , Captain Evan Thomas commanding five officers, sixty-six troops and fourteen Warm Spring Scouts left Gillem's camp on a reconnaissance of the lava beds to locate the Modoc. While eating lunch at the base of Sand Butte (now Hadin Butte ), in a flat area surrounded by ridges, Captain Thomas and his party were attacked by 22 Modoc led by Scarfaced Charley. Some of the troops fled in disorder. Those who remained to fight were either killed or wounded. Casualties included four officers killed and two wounded, one dying within a few days, and thirteen enlisted men killed and sixteen wounded.


May 4, 1873:

Captain Evan Thomas, Company A, Fourth Artillery, rifle ball shots through lower part right forearm and upperpart right thigh, cutting thefemoral artery.  Died on the field.


Evan Thomas, of the District of Columbia

  • Second Lieutenant, 4th United States Artillery, 9 April 1861
  • Captain, 31 August 1864
  • Breveted Captain, 13 December 1862 for gallant and meritorious service at the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia, and Major, 3 July 1863 for gallant and meritorious service in
  • the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania,
  • Killed on 26 April 1873 in action with Modoc Indians at the Lava Beds, California.

THOMAS, EVAN

  • CAPT 4TH U S ARTY
  • VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
  • DATE OF INTERMENT: Unknown
  • BURIED AT:   SITE 1105-S
  • ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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