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 scope	Strategic offensive
Location	North Mississippi 34°15′20.4″N 88°44′13.2″W
Commanded by	Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith
Objective	Safety of Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign
Date	July 5, 1864 (1864-07-05) – July 21, 1864 (1864-07-21)
Executed by	Right Wing, 16th Army Corps
Outcome	Union victory
Tupelo Location of Tupelo within Mississippi

The campaign

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.

Order of battle

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

• 1st Division - Brigadier General Joseph A. Mower
  • 1st Brigade - Colonel William L. McMillen
  • 2nd Brigade - Colonel Alexander Wilkin (k)
  • 3rd Brigade - Colonel Joseph J. Woods
  • 4th Brigade - Colonel Lyman M. Ward (detached from XVII Corps)
• 2nd Division - Colonel David Moore
  • 1st Brigade - Colonel Charles D. Murray
  • 2nd Brigade - Colonel James I. Gilbert
  • 3rd Brigade - Colonel Edward H. Wolfe (detached from 4th Division)
• Cavalry Division - Brigadier General Benjamin H. Grierson
  • 2nd Brigade - Colonel Edward F. Winslow
  • 3rd Brigade - Colonel Datus E. Coon
• U.S.C.T.
  • 1st Brigade - Colonel Edward Bouton

Aftermath

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.