Existing comment:
The Western Campaign, 1864
In the summer of 1864, General Forrest's hard hitting troops in Northern Mississippi threatened the supplies of General Sherman's campaign against Atlanta. Therefore, General A.J.Smith marched 14,000 Union troops against Forrest. He reached Tupelo despite harassing attacks and took positions here.
A Confederate force of about 10,000 under General Stephen D. Lee, with Forrest commanding the right wing, attacked fiercely and repeatedly from the west throughout July 14, but could not penetrate the Union defense.
The next day, Smith withdrew his command to the north and returned in good order to Memphis. The pressure on Sherman's flank had been reduced |