Initially assigned to the 12th Infantry, Evans served with the regiment until 1898, receiving promotion to first lieutenant in 1882 and captain in 1893. From 1887 to 1898 Evans was the regimental adjutant. During his service with the 12th Infantry Evans was assigned to a variety of posts, including California, Kansas, North Dakota, and numerous sites in Arizona, and New York. He was a veteran of the Nez Perce War and the Bannock War. During the Spanish–American War he served in Cuba and took part in the Battles of El Caney and San Juan Hill.