Elkanah Greer

Elkanah Brackin (or Bracken) Greer (October 11 or 13, 1825 – March 25, 1877) was an antebellum planter, merchant, and then a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Born in Tennessee, Greer moved to Mississippi and later served in the Mississippi Rifles in the United States Army during the Mexican–American War. In 1848, he moved to Marshall, Texas, where he was a lawyer, planter, and merchant. In 1859, Greer became the commander of the Knights of the Golden Circle, a pro-slavery organization. After the outbreak of the Civil War in 1861, Greer raised what became the 3rd Texas Cavalry Regiment and received a commission as its colonel. Greer fought at the Battle of Wilson's Creek in August 1861, the Battle of Chustenahlah in December 1861, and the Battle of Pea Ridge in March 1862, receiving an arm wound in the last. Greer resigned his commission in June 1862, but was commissioned as a brigadier general in October. Assigned to lead the conscription bureau of the Trans-Mississippi Department in June 1863, Greer continued in that role until relieved in March 1865. Resigning his Confederate commission in May 1865, Greer returned to civilian life and died at DeValls Bluff, Arkansas in 1877.