In July, 1861, Col. Elkanah Greer raised the 3rd Texas Cavalry in Dallas with recruits from north and east Texas counties. There was a Lt. William John Caven from Marshall TX in Co. A, 3rd Texas Cavalry Regiment. Willim J. Caven became wealthy in Dallas real estate after the war.

Col. Elkanah Greer's 3rd Texas Cavalry was combined with Col. Matthew F. Locke's 10th and Col. William Cocke Young's 11th Texas Cavalry in Brig. Gen. Joseph L.Hogg's Brigade in Arkansas after Maj.Gen.Ben McCulloch was killed at Elkhorn Tavern.