Nicholas Greusel (July 4, 1817 – April 25, 1896) commanded the 36th Illinois Infantry Regiment during the early part of the American Civil War. As a teenager, he emigrated from the Kingdom of Bavaria to the United States. Later moving to Detroit, he was elected to political office for two years. He led a Michigan volunteer company during the Mexican-American War and later moved to Illinois. At the start of the Civil War he joined a three-month Illinois regiment, rising to field officer rank before the state governor appointed him colonel of the 36th Illinois. He led a brigade at the battles of Pea Ridge and Perryville and at the Siege of Corinth. At the Battle of Stones River he assumed command of the brigade when its commander was killed. He resigned because of poor health soon after Ston