Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

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Evans, Sir George de Lacy, 1787-1870

military officer; born in Moig, Ireland, in 1787; entered the British army at the age of twenty years; served in the East Indies, and early in 1814 came to the United States with the rank of brevet-colonel. He was engaged in the battle of Bladensburg (q. v.)in August, and led the troops that entered Washington, D. C., and destroyed the public buildings there. He was with General Ross in the expedition against Baltimore in September, and was near that general when he fell. Evans was also with Pakenham in the attempt to capture New Orleans. He was wounded in the battle that occurred below that city. Returning to Europe, he served under Wellington. Afterwards he was elected to Parliament, and was subsequently promoted to lieutenant-general. In the latter capacity he served in the war in the Crimea in 1854. He died in London, Jan. 2, 1870.