COMMANDERS OF THE
LAWTON-GORDON-EVANS BRIGADE (CSA)

The principal commanders of the brigade listed in chronological order of service were:

Brig. Gen. Alexander R. Lawton (May 1861 to August 28, 1862). Wounded at Sharpsburg while in temporary command of Ewell's division. Promoted Quartermaster General of Confederates States; never returned to field command.

Col. Marcellus Douglass (August 30 to September 17, 1862) Colonel of 13th Georgia, killed while commanding brigade at battle of Sharpsburg.

Col. Edmund N. Atkinson (Sept. 18 to Dec. 13, 1862). Colonel of 26th Georgia, wounded and captured while commanding the brigade at Fredericksburg. Later exchanged and recaptured at Fisher's Hill on September 22, 1864.

Col. Clement A. Evans (Dec. 14, 1862-March 18, 1863, May 12, 1864-December 1864). Colonel of 31st Georgia, in temporary command until appointment of Gordon. Later promoted Brig. Gen. in command of the Brigade in May 1864 and served until assuming command of Gordon's division in December 1864. Post war career as minister, Commander-in-chief of the United Confederate Veterans, and editor of the 13 volume series entitled "Confederal Mililitary History."

Brig.-Gen. John B. Gordon (May 7, 1863 to May 8, 1864). Former Colonel of 6th Alabama, wounded six times at Sharpsburg. Assumed temporary command of the Georgia brigade on April 11, with appointment made permanent retroactive to May 7, following petition of officers. Gordon served as brigadier until promoted Major General in command of a division for exploits in battle of Wilderness. Post war Governor of Georgia, Member, U.S. Congress, and Commander-in-Chief of United Confederate Veterans.

Col. John A. Baker (December 1864 to March 25, 1865). Promoted Colonel of 13th Georgia on December 14, 1863. Temporarily commanded the brigade from December 1864 until severely wounded at Battle of Hares Hill (Fort Steadman) on March 25, 1865.

Col. John H. Lowe (March 25, 1865 to April 9, 1865). Promoted Colonel of 31st Georgia in May 1864 and assumed temporary command of the brigade on March 25, 1865 until the surrender at Appomattox Court House.

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Last Updated: March 29, 2000

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