[234] At the battle of Pea Ridge, or Elkhorn, Greer's regiment did some splendid work, helping, on the first day, to drive back the enemy, and, on the second day, aiding in repelling the enemy's advance. On June 1, 1862, Colonel Greer sent in his resignation, but it was recalled, and in October, 1862, he was appointed brigadier-general. He was soon after made chief of the bureau of conscription for the Trans-Mississippi department. The duties of this important office he performed with great ability. He does not appear to have been actively engaged after this; but the man who had charge of a bureau of conscription always had all that he could look after. It was sometimes a difficult task to decide as to what men came properly under the head of exempts from military duty. At times there was great need of tact as well as firmness. Most soldiers preferred active duty in the field, and yet it was necessary that men of administrative ability and moral courage should help to organize the means of defense by keeping the ranks of the regiments as near as possible up to the numerical strength required. General Greer cooperated in every way with General Magruder, commanding the district of Texas, and assisted that general in reconciling differences that existed between the conscription laws of the Confederate States and the laws of the State of Texas. During operations in 1864, General Greer also commanded the reserve forces in the Trans-Mississippi department. After the return of peace he remained for a while in Texas, and then removed to Arkansas. He died at Devall's Bluff, March 25, 1877.
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[234] At the battle of Pea Ridge, or Elkhorn, Greer's regiment did some splendid work, helping, on the first day, to drive back the enemy, and, on the second day, aiding in repelling the enemy's advance. On June 1, 1862, Colonel Greer sent in his resignation, but it was recalled, and in October, 1862, he was appointed brigadier-general. He was soon after made chief of the bureau of conscription for the Trans-Mississippi department. The duties of this important office he performed with great ability. He does not appear to have been actively engaged after this; but the man who had charge of a bureau of conscription always had all that he could look after. It was sometimes a difficult task to decide as to what men came properly under the head of exempts from military duty. At times there was great need of tact as well as firmness. Most soldiers preferred active duty in the field, and yet it was necessary that men of administrative ability and moral courage should help to organize the means of defense by keeping the ranks of the regiments as near as possible up to the numerical strength required. General Greer cooperated in every way with General Magruder, commanding the district of Texas, and assisted that general in reconciling differences that existed between the conscription laws of the Confederate States and the laws of the State of Texas. During operations in 1864, General Greer also commanded the reserve forces in the Trans-Mississippi department. After the return of peace he remained for a while in Texas, and then removed to Arkansas. He died at Devall's Bluff, March 25, 1877.
Atlanta, Ga. 1899.
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