Tupelo National Battlefield - Tupelo, Mississippi

 Print This Post

Tupelo National Battlefield - Tupelo, Mississippi

On July 14, 1864 The Battle of Tupelo began at 7:30 in the morning when the Confederates began a series of disorganized charges against the Federal position.  These attacks were beaten back as were the attacks that they tried on the other line.  There were heavy losses with out the Confederates gaining any success.  After dark, the Confederates made another attack from the south without significant effect. Although his troops had repulsed several Confederate attacks, General Smith (Federal) was alarmed.  The heat and the lack of food other than coffee and worm0infested hardtack (crackers) and the low ammunition supply made for a rough time.

At 2 pm on July 15, after skirmishing with Confederates on the western and southern fronts, the Federals began marching north in the direction of Memphis.  They marched four miles and crossed to the north side of Old Town Creek and camped in the late afternoon.  At 5 pm, from a commanding ridge south of Old Town Creek, Confederate forces surprised Smith’s troops with artillery and infantry fire.  The Federals scrambled and formed a line that pushed the Confederates off the ridge and forced them to retreat to Harrisburg.  The fight at Old Town Creek ended the Battle of Tupelo and was the last major battle of the Civil War in Mississippi. 

Directions: One acre monument located on Main Street, Tupelo. 

Operating hours & Seasons:  The grounds of Tupelo National Battlefield are open during daylight hours everyday of the year.