The Early Years

William Wallace Burritt was born in 1831 in Campbell, Steuben, New York, United States.

The Civil War

William Wallace Burritt, a resident of Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, United States, enlisted in the Union Army on 28 Aug 1862 for three years as a Private. On 1 Oct 1862, Private Burritt was assigned to Company G, 113th Regiment, Illinois Infantry.

In 1863, Private Bowen was transferred to the Invalid Corps, also known as Veteran Reserve Corps. Veteran Reserve Corps. On 10 Jan 1865 he was discharged from the Union Army.  ^{Private Emmer Bowen died on 16 Dec 1912 and is interred in Angelus Rosedale Cemetery, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States.}

Due to his bravery at Vicksburg, Mississippi on 27 April 1863 he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor, which was awarded by President McKinley on 8 Jul 1896.

Civil War Engagements with the 113th Illinois Volunteer Infantry (Organized: Camp Hancock, Chicago, IL on 1 Oct 1862; Mustered out: 20 Jun 1865):

Battle of Chickasaw Bayou| (aka Battle of Walnut Hills), 26-29 Dec 1862, Warren County, Mississippi, Confederate victory

Battle of Arkansas Post (1863), (aka Battle of Fort Hindman), 9-11 Jan 1863, Arkansas Post, Arkansas, United States, Union victory

Yazoo Pass expedition, a joint operation of Major General Ulysses S. Grant and Rear Admiral David D. Porter's, Mississippi River Squadron, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 3-12 Feb 1863, Union victory

Battle of Port Gibson, 1 May 1863, Claiborne County, near Port Gibson, Mississippi, Union victory

Battle of Champion Hill, 16 May 1863, Hinds County, Mississippi, United States, Union victory

Siege of Vicksburg, 18 May-4 Jul 1863, Warren County, Mississippi, United States, Union victory

Battle of Brice's Cross Roads, (aka Battle of Tishomingo Creek or the Battle of Guntown), 10 Jun 1864, Near Baldwyn, Mississippi, Confederate victory

Private William Wallace Burritt fought in the American Civil War. Burritt received the country's highest award for bravery during combat, the Medal of Honor, for his action during Vicksburg, Mississippi on 27 April 1863.

On 8 Jul 1896, President William McKinley, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Private William Wallace Burritt, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 27 April 1863, while serving with Company G, 113th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, in action at Vicksburg, Mississippi. Private Burritt voluntarily acted as a fireman on a steam tug which ran the blockade and passed the batteries under a heavy fire.

Medal of Honor Citation:
Voluntarily acted as a fireman on a steam tug which ran the blockade and passed the batteries under a heavy fire.

Later Years

William married Eliza M. George Bass on 25 May 1868 in Allen, Eel River Township, Allen, Indiana, United States.  They had one known child, Langdon George Burritt (29 Mar 1869–25 Feb 1937).

William married Harriet (Hattie) Young, probably before 1874. They had four known children: Ida Burritt (abt 1874-Unk), Edith Burritt (abt 1877-Unk), Grace Edna Burritt Hahn (30 Aug 1880-24 Dec 1950), William Wallace Burritt, Jr. (26 Aug 1885-Dec 1937).

In 1870, William Burritt (Burt), age forty-two, head of household and a Farmer resided with his wife of twelve years in Condit Township, Champaign, Illinois, United States. Eliza managed the home and raised Landon and her two children from her previous marriage, Beverly Chute (B C) and Georgie. The real estate value was $2500 and the personal estate value was $900.  By 1880, William W., age fifty-three, head of household and a Farmer was remarried to Harriet (Hattie), and they resided in Scandia, Republic, Kansas, United States. Harriet managed the home and raised Landon (aka Lengdon) from his first marriage, Ida, Edith, and Grace (Edna).

In accordance to military tradition, service members salute Medal of Honor recipients, regardless of rank. This is a matter of respect for the recipients' sacrifices and is not required by law. Department of Defense Saluting MOH Recipients. In addition, MOH Recipients receive special benefits: 1. A Monthly Pension and Special Retirement Pay; 2. Uniform Allowances; 3. On-Base Parking Spots; 4. Priority Space-A Travel; 5. Invitations to Presidential Inaugurals; 6. Academy Appointments for Dependents; 7. A Medal of Honor Flag; 8. Full Military Burial Honors Military Times, Special Benefits for MOH Recipients.

Death and Burial

Medal of Honor Recipient William Wallace Burritt died on Friday, 18 Oct 1901, at the age of 69-70 in Wadsworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States due to mitral insufficiency.  William is commemorated and interred at Leavenworth National Cemetery, Leavenworth, Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States.