The Biographical Dictionary of America/Barksdale, William

​BARKSDALE, William, soldier, was born in Rutherford county, Tenn., Aug. 21, 1821. He was educated at the university of Nashville, and after a law course in Columbus, Miss., was admitted to the bar in 1839. He practised his profession and was also editor of the Columbus Democrat, and in its columns he was ardent in his advocacy of state rights. In the Mexican war he served as a non-commissioned officer in the 2d Mississippi regiment. He was a member of the state convention of 1851. In 1852 he was elected to represent his district in the 33d Congress, and was re-elected to the 34th, 35th and 36th congresses. He was a pro-slavery Democrat, and made himself conspicuous on the occasion of the assault of Preston S. Brooks on Charles Sumner by preventing the interference of bystanders. On the secession of Mississippi, he resigned his seat in Congress and entered the army as colonel of the 13th Mississippi volunteer regiment, served in Virginia, and was made a brigadier-general. He was in action under Early at Gettysburg, as commander of the 3d brigade, and was killed on the field July 2, 1863.