Burrs, David

David Burrs was a private in the Company A of the 127th United States Colored Infantry. He mustered in to the Union Army on August 17, 1864 as a substitute during the formation of the 127th at Camp William Penn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. In September, Burrs’ regiment left their training camp for Virginia where they fought in the battle of Chaffin’s Farm on September 29 and 30, 1864. The 127th also participated in the siege of Petersburg and Richmond, which lasted until General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Confederate army to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Courthouse on April 9, 1865. After the official end of the war, the 127th served along the American border with Mexico in Texas until they mustered out on October 20, 1865. Burrs was laid to rest in Mountain Green Cemetery in Shippensburg, Pennsylvania. (By Brenna McKelvey)