The Battle of Tupelo was a Union victory over Confederate forces in northern Mississippi which ensured the safety of William T. Sherman's supply lines. The American Civil War (1861–1865) was fought in North America within the United States of America, between twenty-four mostly northern states of the Union and the Confederate States of America, a coalition of eleven southern states that declared their independence and claimed the right of secession from the... July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... July 15 is the 196th day (197th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 169 days remaining. ... 1864 was a leap year starting on Friday (see link for calendar). ... Tupelo, birthplace of Elvis Presley and the seventh largest city in Mississippi, is located in Northeast Mississippi between Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. ... The Union was a name used by many to refer to the Northern states during the American Civil War. ... Casus belli is a Latin expression from the international law theory of Jus ad bellum. ... Motto: Deo Vindice (Latin: With God As Our Vindicator) Anthem: God Save the South (unofficial) Dixie (popular) Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Danville, Virginia April 3–April 10, 1865 Largest city New Orleans February 4, 1861–May 1... Andrew Jackson Smith (April 28, 1815 – January 30, 1897) was a U.S. Army general during the American Civil War, rising to the command of a corps. ... Stephen D. Lee (1833‑1908) was a Confederate general. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877), was a Confederate general and perhaps the American Civil Wars most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). ... XVI Corps was a corps of the Union Army during the American Civil War. ... The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were those regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War which were made up of African-American soldiers. ... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Samuel D. Sturgis Nathan B. Forrest Strength Three-brigade division of infantry and a division of cavalry (about 8,500) cavalry corps (about 3,200) Casualties 2,610 492 Battle of Brices Crossroads was fought on June 10, 1864... The Battle of Memphis II was a battle of the American Civil War, occurring on August 21, 1864 in Shelby County, Tennessee. ... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ...

Background

After the Confederate victory at the battle of Brice's Crossroads, the supply lines for William T. Sherman's armies in Georgia became increasingly vulnerable. District commander, Cadwallader C. Washburn dispatched a force under General Andrew J. Smith to deal with Confederate cavalier, Nathan Bedford Forrest. For other meanings of confederate and confederacy, see confederacy (disambiguation) National Motto Deo Vindice (Latin: Under God our Vindicator) Official language English de facto nationwide Various European and Native American languages regionally Capital Montgomery, Alabama February 4, 1861–May 29, 1861 Richmond, Virginia May 29, 1861–April 9, 1865 Largest... Combatants United States of America Confederate States of America Commanders Samuel D. Sturgis Nathan B. Forrest Strength Three-brigade division of infantry and a division of cavalry (about 8,500) cavalry corps (about 3,200) Casualties 2,610 492 Battle of Brices Crossroads was fought on June 10, 1864... Portrait of William Tecumseh Sherman by Mathew Brady William Tecumseh Sherman (February 8, 1820 – February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, and author. ... Cadwallader C. Washburn Cadwallader Colden Washburn (April 22, 1818–May 15, 1882) was an American businessman, politician, and soldier noted for founding what would later become General Mills and working in government for Wisconsin. ... Andrew Jackson Smith (April 28, 1815 – January 30, 1897) was a U.S. Army general during the American Civil War, rising to the command of a corps. ... Nathan Bedford Forrest Nathan Bedford Forrest (July 13, 1821 – October 29, 1877), was a Confederate general and perhaps the American Civil Wars most highly regarded cavalry and partisan ranger (guerrilla leader). ...

The Battle

Smith arrived in northern Mississippi on July 11. Forrest was nearby with 6,000 troops but under orders from his superior Stephen D. Lee not to attack untill reinforcements arrived. The next day Lee arrived with 2,000 reinforcements. Smith withdrew from his current position towards Tupelo. Forrest considered Smith's movements a retreat while Smith was intending to destroy the railroads at Tupelo. On the night of the 13th Smith constructed breastworks near Harrisburg, an abandoned town a mile west of Tupelo. Early on July 14 Lee ordered an assualt on the Union lines. Lee attacked the Union right under Genera Joseph A. Mower while Forrest assualted the Union left held by Colonel David Moore and General Benjamin Grierson. Throughout the morning Lee and Forrest led a series of uncoordinated attacks on against defended positions which Forrest later claimed were impregnable. July 11 is the 192nd day (193rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 173 days remaining. ... Stephen D. Lee (1833‑1908) was a Confederate general. ... Tupelo, birthplace of Elvis Presley and the seventh largest city in Mississippi, is located in Northeast Mississippi between Memphis, Tennessee and Birmingham, Alabama. ... Breastwork may mean: A form of temporary fortification Breastwork (fortification). ... July 14 is the 195th day (196th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 170 days remaining. ... Brigadier General Benjamin Henry Grierson (July 8, 1826, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - August 31, 1911, Omena, Michigan) was an American army officer. ...

During the night Smith burned the remains of Harrisburg but the flames illuminated his lines. Forrest led a daring night assualt against the Union left defended by a brigade of USCT which held strong and repulsed Forrest. On July 15th Smith began to move north. Forrest attacked Smith's rearguard and was again repulsed and wounded in the foot. A few days later Smith returned to La Grange, Tennessee where he had originally departed from. The United States Colored Troops (USCT) were those regiments of the United States Army during the American Civil War which were made up of African-American soldiers. ... La Grange is a town located in Fayette County, Tennessee. ...

Results

Smith was criticized for not destroying Forrest and although he was hasty to leave the field, the Union forces had in fact inflicted a tactical defeat on the legenday Forrest. Sherman's supply lines had been protected from Confederate raids. Although Smith had achieved his main goal of the campaign, Forrest's cavalry still remained at large as a viable force.

The battle is commemorated at the Tupelo National Battlefield. Tupelo National Battlefield is a unit of the National Park Service in Tupelo, Mississippi. ...

Sources

• CWSAC Battle Summary