William Rufus Burris was born in York District, South Carolina in 1842. When he was six, his family left South Carolina and eventually settled in Marshall County, Mississippi where they made a living farming. W. R. Burris enlisted in the Confederate Army three times. He first served in the 60-day “Mississippi Army of 10,000” from December 1861 to February 1862. In March 1862, Burris enlisted again and on April 17 mustered into service as a private in Co. D, 37th Mississippi Infantry (also known as the 34th Infantry). He apparently contracted Typhoid fever in camp and was discharged for disability on July 15, 1862. After recovering his health, Burris enlisted a third time, joining Co. B, 3rd Mississippi Cavalry. He was captured near Germantown, Tennessee on July 18, 1863 and confined at various prison camps in the north befor being sent to Fort Delaware in April 1864. On June 11, 1865, Burris took the Oath of Allegiance and was released. He returned to Marshall County, was married twice, and lived to be 92 years old.