Smith's Expedition to Tupelo

The Smith's Expedition to Tupelo (July 5, 1864 – July 21, 1864) was a campaign conducted by the Union Army in north Mississippi during the Civil War. The offensive was designed to ensure the safety of Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign.

Smith's Expedition to Tupelo
Part of the American Civil War
Operational scopeStrategic offensive
Location
34°15′20.4″N 88°44′13.2″W / 34.255667°N 88.737000°W / 34.255667; -88.737000
Commanded byUnited States Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith
ObjectiveSafety of Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign
DateJuly 5, 1864 (1864-07-05) – July 21, 1864 (1864-07-21)
Executed byRight Wing, 16th Army Corps
OutcomeUnion victory
Tupelo is located in Mississippi
Tupelo
Tupelo
Location of Tupelo within Mississippi

The campaign

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On July 5, 1864, the Right Wing of the Union Army's 16th Army Corps embarked unpon a strategic offensive campaign to ensure the safety of Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign. After the Confederate victory at the Battle of Brice's Crossroads, the supply lines in Georgia became increasingly vulnerable. The Union Army's north Mississippi campaign ended on July 21, 1864.[1] [2]

Order of battle

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Right Wing, 16th Army Corps - Major-General Andrew J. Smith

Aftermath

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The expedition was a Union success with the Battle of Tupelo however the Federal troops began a retreat back to Memphis within a few days due to spoiled rations.

References

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  1. ^ "Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi — History.com This Day in History — 7/14/1864". www.history.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2010.
  2. ^ "Smith's Expedition Battle of Tupelo | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History".