He was involved in mining, business, and later in government work for both Tuolumne County and the State of California.
[1] After the outbreak of the American Civil War, on October 16, 1861, Evans, joined the California Volunteers with the "Tuolumne Rangers" at Camp Alert in San Francisco.
Promoted a lieutenant colonel, he led the regiment during their first two campaigns in the Owens Valley Indian War and later in Utah Territory where he was promoted to colonel of the regiment; receiving the brevet for brigadier general.
[1][2]I have the honor to report to the general commanding the Department of the Pacific that I have been in this valley fifteen days, carrying out my instructions to chastise these Indians, or the Indians of Owens River; that I have killed several, taken eleven prisoners, and destroyed a great many rancherias and a large quantity of seeds, worms, &c., that the Indians had gathered for food.In late 1863 he resigned his commission and returned to California, where he was elected to the California State Senate in September.
[1][2] He was elected again to the state senate in September 1865, while holding the office of adjutant general.