William Barksdale was born in Smyrna, Tennessee on August 21, 1821. He attended the University of Nashville, studied law, and was admitted to the Bar in 1839. He practiced in Columbus (Lowndes County), Mississippi before entering the military as quartermaster of the Mississippi Volunteers during the Mexican-American War. Barksdale went on to involve himself in politics, serving as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1852 and winning election to the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat in 1853. He resigned his position in 1861 and entered the Confederate Army as the Colonel of the 13th Mississippi Infantry. Barksdale was promoted to Brigadier General on August 12, 1862 and commanded a Mississippi brigade in Longstreet's corps before being killed at the Battle of Gettysburg on July 2, 1863.