William M. Barber was a 27 year-old lawyer when he enlisted in the "Western Carolina Stars" on September 24, 1861 and was elected their first captain.  On November 20, 1861, he was elected Lieutenant Colonel of the 37th Regiment of North Carolina Troops.  Upon the death of Colonal Lee, he was elected Colonel of the 37th.  He was wounded in the neck at Fredericksburg (December 13, 1862), the right arm at Chancellorsville (May 3, 1863), and captured at Spotsylvania Court House (May 12, 1864).  Colonel Barber was exchanged on August 3, 1864, and again wounded (August 17, 1864) in the left leg.  He returned to duty on August 30, 1864, and was again wounded at Jone Farm (September 30, 1864) at the battle of Jones Farm.  He died of wounds on October 2, 1864 in Petersburg, Virginia.  He is buried in the church yard of the St. James Episcopal Church in Wilkesboro, North Carolina.