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 | 34°15′20.4″N 88°44′13.2″W / 34.255667°N 88.737000°W |
| Commanded by |  Maj. Gen. Andrew J. Smith |
| Objective | Safety of Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign |
| Date | July 5, 1864 – July 21, 1864 |
| Executed by | Right Wing,  16th Army Corps |
| Outcome | Union victory |
  Tupelo Location of Tupelo within Mississippi | |
The campaign
editOn 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
editRight 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
editThe 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
edit- ^ "Battle of Tupelo, Mississippi — History.com This Day in History — 7/14/1864". www.history.com. Archived from the original on March 7, 2010.
- ^ "Smith's Expedition Battle of Tupelo | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History".