Smith's Expedition to Tupelo

Smith's Expedition to Tupelo
Part of the American Civil War
Date July 1, 1864 (1864-07-01) – July 21, 1864 (1864-07-21) Location Mississippi Result Protection of Supply line of the Atlanta Campaign
Belligerents
United States (Union)	Confederate States (Confederacy)

Smith's Expedition to Tupelo was a military movement of the Union Army during the American Civil War.

The Expedition

On July 5, 1864 Major General Andrew Jackson Smith of the XVI Corps set out on an expedition to protect Major General William T. Sherman’s supply line of his Atlanta campaign. Against Major General Stephen D. Lee and Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest after the Confederate victory at the Battle of Brice's Crossroads, the supply lines for Major General William T. Sherman's armies in Georgia became increasingly vulnerable the expedition ended on July 21, 1864.

Major General Andrew Jackson Smith of the XVI Corps

Result

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.

Union Army

Right Wing-XVI 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