David Morris Evans

   COL. EVANS KNOWN
    IN THIS SECTION
   COMMANDER OF 20TH NEW
    YORK CAVALRY DIES
   WAS EXCELLENT OFFICER
Colonel Well Known by William M.
Rice of This City, Who Served
Under Him in Co. B, 20th N.Y.
Cavalry For Year and a Half--
Veteran Highly Esteemed Com-
mander.
         ----------
 Grand Army veterans in Water-
town have received news of the
death of Colonel David M. Evans,
commander of the 20th New York
cavalry, which was formed at Madi-
son Barracks during the early part 
of the Civil War.
 Colonel Evans died at his home,
2731 Emerson avenue, South Minne-
apolis, Minn., Thursday, May 8, fol-
lowing an illness of over a year. He
was 93 years old. He was born in Al-
bany and lived there during his
youth. He was graduated from Wil-
liams college in 1856 in the same
class with the late President James
A. Garfield.
 He enlisted on May 9, 1861, at Le-
roy to serve two years. He was mus-
tered into service on June 11, 1861, 
as a musician in Company A, 35th
infantry. Later he was transferred
to Company I and on Sept. 11, 1861,
he was promoted to sergeant. Ser-
geant Evans was mustered in as a
first lieutenant and adjutant on Nov.
1, 1861, and Jan. 1, 1863, he was pro-
moted to major.
 It was on June 5, 1863, that he
was mustered out with the regiment
and then started his service with the 
20th cavalry as a first Lieutenant. He
gradually made his way from the
commission of a first lieutenant to
that of lieutenant colonel of the regi-
ment. He took command of the regi-
ment at  Malvern Hill, a short distance
from Richmond, Va., Feb. 14, 1863.
 Colonel Evans served through
practically all of the engagements of
the Potomac. When Richmond was
captured Col. Evans was made pro-
vost marshal of the city and ordered
the Stars and Stripes to be raised
over Richmond court house.
 William M. Rice of 310 Solar block
served in Company B, 20th New
York cavalry and said he knew Colo-
nel Evans well. When he heard of
his death this morning he said,
"Colonel Evans was one of the best
commanders of the war. He served
with his men and they would all go
through anything for him. Colonel
Evans would never send his men into
a fight unless it was really neces-
sary. He served with the 35th New
York infantry, another northern New
York outfit, and knew what real
____ fighting was. I am sorry to hear
of the colonel's death although I
knew he had been in failing health
for over a year."
 Mr. Rice said that he served two
years and 24 days during the war
and for a year and a half of that
time he was under Colonel Evans.
Mr. Rice enlisted at Sackets Harbor
as a drummer boy when he was 16
years of age. His parents took him
out of the army but on July 7, 1863,
his mother signed his papers and he
served until July 31, 1865. He was
discharged at Manchester, Va., when
he was only a lad of 18.
 The local veteran said he receiv-
ed a letter from a Mr. Parry about a
year ago suggesting that the surviv-
ing veterans of the old 20th have a
reunion. At that time there were 48
living members of the outfit.He re-
ceived a letter last fall from Mr.
Parry stating that the reunion would
have to be postponed on account of
the ill-health of Colonel Evans.