CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY: ELKANAH GREER - Harrison County, TX

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Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net
3 October 2001
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TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson, p. 129-30.

ELKANAH GREER.

Elkanah Greer, of Marshall, was born in the year 1825 in Mississippi. 
Although he was only twenty years of age when the Mexican war broke out, 
he promptly joined the First Mississippi Rifles, commanded by Col. 
Jefferson Davis, and fought in the battles of Monterey and Buena Vista.
So signal were the services of this regiment that a grateful country 
expressed admiration for the conduct of both officers and men. Upon 
his return to Mississippi he became major-general of the militia, and 
under his control the state forces were more effectively drilled and 
disciplined. He removed to Texas in 1848, locating in Marshall, where 
he became a planter and merchant. He was an ardent State's Rights 
Democrat and soon enjoyed a popularity and influence second to no man 
in East Texas. He was in 1859 appointed "Grand Commander" of the secret 
organization known ag the K. G. C. 's. He was opposed to the ultra 
conservative policies in 1860 and advocated the call for a sovereign 
convention of the people. Upon the formation of the provisional 
government at Montgomery, Ala., he received the first colonel's 
commis­sion issued by the Confederacy to a Texan, and proceeded 
immediately to organize the Third Texas Cavalry, which he commanded 
in many battles.  He was cool in danger, quick to analyze a situation
and as prompt to act.  Both officers and men had confidencc in him and 
a warm personal regard for him.  After the war he returned to Texas, 
where upon his plantation he lived the life of the old-time Southern 
plan­ter. He was married in 1849 in Marshall to Anna, daughter of Col. 
B. L. Holcomb. Her sister, Lucy Hoicomb, married Hon. Francis W. 
Pickens, U.S. Minister to Russia and after­ward was governor of South 
Carolina.   Col. Greer died a number of years ago.