CONFEDERATE BIOGRAPHY:  Col. Edward R. Hankins - Hunt County, TX

*********************************************************** 
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm

Submitted by Mary Love Berryman - marylove@tyler.net
11 April 2002 
*********************************************************** 
TEXANS WHO WORE THE GRAY by Sid S. Johnson - Page 325

Col. Edward R. Hankins, of Greenville, Texas, Whitefield's Legion, or 
the 27th Cavalry, was born February 21, 1831, in the State of North 
Carolina. He was reared in Cherokee county, Georgia, and was a pupil
at one time of the famous Governor Joseph E. Brown. In 1853 he 
married, and in the following year graduated at the Augusta, Georgia, 
Medical College. After a practice of two years at Barlton, he removed 
with his family to Texas in 1858, and located in Titus county, where 
he was successful in his profession when the South took up arms in 
defense of the Southern States. He promptly took a leading part in the 
organization of troops and was commissioned captain of Company A, 
Whitefield's Legion. After which he was promoted to lieutenant colonel 
of his regiment. He participated in campaigns of his command and made 
himself famous on account of his excellent soldiership, and efficiency 
as an officer. He met the commendation of such men as Whitefie}d, Ross, 
Van Dorn, W. H. Jackson and Forrest.  Often in combat with the Federal 
Cavalry, and at times on foot, battling bravely with the infantry of 
the enemy, always to the front, manfully maintaining his convictions 
of Southern rights and local self government. From Elk Horn Tavern to 
the end of the war he was conspicuous on the battlefields where the 
South's chivalry was holding the lines of war. Particular mention was 
made of him in the dying days of the Confederacy at Franklin and 
Nashville. He located at Greenville, Texas, in 1883, where he made a 
good citizen until his death some few years ago. Generous, open-
hearted, he has left behind, the honor, of a brave soldier, and a man 
of intelligence and strict convictions for his many noble traits and 
splendid manhood.