After graduating from Washington College, he became a teacher in Louisiana until the American Civil War broke out. Evans returned to Virginia, although his hometown had become part of the newly formed state of West Virginia (which was admitted to the Union), he enlisted in the 1st Virginia Infantry of the Confederate Army. He fought through the war, was made Captain after the Battle of Seven Pines in 1862, and after the campaign in the Valley of Virginia, he became a Colonel of the 20th Virginia Cavalry. Near the close of the war, he was captured and spent a long term in Federal prison. In addition to his military service, he was twice elected to the Virginia Legislature during the War.