in 1919, colonel greer was stationed in washington, d.c., between assignments in europe. self-identified as "general staff, u.s.a," he wrote a letter to u.s. senator kenneth d. mckellar of tennessee which contained, according to a newspaper account, "startling revelations as to negro troops failing to measure up to the required standard of efficiency and valor while in active service." according to historian robert h. ferrell, greer also sent letters to "officers he thought might enlighten the department on the use of african-american troops" in the army.