The Washington herald., 1914-07-14
THE WAR DAY BY DAY
-....., Fifty Years Ago.
July H. 1S64COnfedrae Cavalry, Under Gen. Forrest Attacked
Superior Force Of Federa Near Tups M and Were Defeated
Desperate Two-HOur Struggle.

Fifty years ago today body Of Con-
federate cavalry, under the celebrated
trooper, Gen. Nathan r. Forrest, At
tackled a superior force of Federals near
Tupelo. Miss. and was defeated in
desperate two-hour struggle.
The attack OF the Confederates was one
Of the most gallant in the minor opera
tions OF the war. In the height OF the
fight small bodies OF men, worn by cease
less campaigning and sweltering under a
torrid sun, charged the Federals over a
field red with the blood OF their COM
rades and strewn with dead and dying.
With no shelter from a deadly rain OF
shot and shell they struggled hopelessly
TO gain foothnld within the Union
lines. Whole brigades were phattered
and regiments were stripped Of their Of
ficers.
In the North this battle. known as
that OF Tupelo or Harrisburg, Miss, was
hailed as a greater victory than II really
was. For in spite Of the terrible losses
inflicted by the Federals, the honors OF
the day must go to the men in gray.
They fought an offensive fight in the
Open while the Union troops were shell
tered by strong works: and at the close
OF the day. when the COnfederates after
Their repulse prepared TO meet a coun-
terstroke. they were left in peace. The
next morning. instead Of renewing the
battle, sthe Federals withdrew toward
Memphis. Tenn. whence they had come,
leaving the enemy in possession OF the
field.
Ont 20 Defeat Forrest.
The battle was the climax Of a move
ment designed TO prevent Gen. Forrest
from riding from Mississippi into mid
die Tennessee and cutting the communi-
cations of Gen w T. Sherman's army
operating against ATLANTA, Ga. Two
earlier expeditions had been sent out by
the FederaIs to meet him. but both hsd
been .routed by the wary Confederate
leader.
ON june IS Gen Sherman had ordered
Gen Andrew ]. smith, who was at Mem
phis en- route from the Red River, to join
the army in Georgia, to move against
Forrest devastating the land over whlch
ne has passed or may pass. 10 make
him and the people Of Tennessee and
Mississippi realize that although bold.
daring and successful leader. he Will
bring ruin and misery on any country
where he may pause or tsrry. Sherman
added that IF We do not punish Forrest
and the people now the whole effect Of
our past conquests will be lost.
Pursuant TO orders. Gen. Smith left La
Grange. forty-five miles east OF Memphis,
on July :, with a command OF about IA
900 cavalry. infantry, and artillery. with
twenty-four guns. Skirmishing heavily
with Gen. Forests Uutposts. this force
entered Pontotoc. Miss. sixty miles south
of La Grange. on July II. and. remaining
there a day. moved cast toward the Mo-
bile and Ohio Railroad. fifteen miles dis
tant, early in the morning Of the 18th.
During the day Gen. Forests COM
mand delivered several attacks upon the
Federal rear guard. but each time was
repulsed with considerable loss. Gen.
Smith refused to halt to fight general
engagement Instead, he pushed stead
fly east toward the town of Tupelo. on
the railroad. and halted for the night In
a strong position near the village Of
Harrisburg. about a mile from his OBJ
iective. There the Federals threw up
rough defenses on a ridge facing the
west, toward Pontotoc, from which di-
rection the Confederate attacks had
come.
ne.nernfe STRUGGLE