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.

Background

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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.

The battle

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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 until 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 assault on the Union lines. Lee attacked the Union right under General Joseph A. Mower while Forrest assaulted 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.

During the night Smith burned the remains of Harrisburg but the flames illuminated his lines. Forrest led a daring night assault 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.

Results

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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.

Sources

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• CWSAC Battle Summary

Battles of Forrest's Defense of Mississippi of the American Civil War | Union victories of the American Civil War