NF Tupelo & Brice's Crossroads

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

In parallel to Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, Samuel Sturgis and Benjamin Grierson went after Forrest. They got whipped at Brice's Crossroads in June 1864. A month later, AJ Smith and Grierson returned, this time beating Forrest at Tupelo/Harrisburg in a battle sometimes credited with permanently crippling the combat effectiveness of Forrest's division.

I know there are a number books about either battle, but has any one author written about both battles - either in a single volume or two volumes? If not, is there any two books about the two battles that dovetail particularly well together?

The two battles were fought a month apart for the same purpose, with some of the Union and most of the Confederates participating in both battles. It seems to me like they need to be understood together, rather than in isolation.

 

[AlexPensFan86]

This is a great read and it covers both battles in excellent detail! https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/1606354760/?tag=civilwartalkc-20

 

[Scott1967]

In parallel to Sherman's Atlanta Campaign, Samuel Sturgis and Benjamin Grierson went after Forrest. They got whipped at Brice's Crossroads in June 1864. A month later, AJ Smith and Grierson returned, this time beating Forrest at Tupelo/Harrisburg in a battle sometimes credited with permanently crippling the combat effectiveness of Forrest's division.

I know there are a number books about either battle, but has any one author written about both battles - either in a single volume or two volumes? If not, is there any two books about the two battles that dovetail particularly well together?

The two battles were fought a month apart for the same purpose, with some of the Union and most of the Confederates participating in both battles. It seems to me like they need to be understood together, rather than in isolation.

Interesting to note Grierson sacked Forrest's camp and got away with all his personal stuff , Grierson was a music teacher by trade he hated horses and like Forrest had not military experience.

Sturgis was at fault not Grierson at Brice's his troopers were holding Forrest back until Sturgis ordered the retreat that became a rout as far as I can remember Grierson and the cavalry extracted themselves and most of the casualties were infantry.

 

[Ole Miss]

I agree with @AlexPensFan86 that Work for Giants: The Campaign and Battle of Tupelo/Harrisburg, Mississippi, the go to source for information on the summer of 1864 battles in North Mississippi!

The author, Tom Parsons, is a Shiloh NMP Ranger and lives with 60 miles of both battles. Unfortunately, both of these battlefields have been little remembered except for Forrest's victory at Brices Cross Roads. Tupelo/Harriburg has a small marker, 2 cannons, on a one acre lot to mark this battle that was fought to a draw!

The author provides the background of the summer campaign and provides detail information about the two protagonists who The Giants in the title! A. J. Smith and Nathan Bedford Forrest were deadly adversaries and excellent military leaders!

I recommend getting a copy of this book and learn about this side-show of the Big Show of the American Civil War.
Regards
David

Tupelo Battlefield Monument (photo courtesy of the National Park Service)

 

[damYankee]

My Gx2 Grandfather George W. Davis was in the 4th Iowa Cav. from 1862 till the unit was mustered out,
Here is a list of casualties from the battle of Brice's Crossroad;


Brice's Cross-roads (or Guntown), Miss., June 10, 1864.

The regt.

Killed, 2 : Co. C, Pvts. Gerhard Pilgrim and Milton W. Stall;

Wounded, 18: Co. A, Serg. William E. Jackson and Pvts. Henry J. Chapman (mortally), William H. Chapman (mortally) and Andrew J. Lovelady ; Co. C, Lieut. Loyd H. Dillon, Corp. George W. Saint and Pvts. Arsene Gerard, Charles Hilgrin, John Hoakinson, Alfred A. Peterson, Adolph Schloeder, John Straw and John Sutherland; Co. F, Pvts. Francis Noble and James B. Pearson; Co. I, Pvt. Albert Rice; and Co. K, Serg. Elisha M. Payne and Pvts. George W. Schofield and Zur Rockhold;

Captured, 3: Co. A, Pvts. Ephraim Shaffer and John A. Warner; and Co. K, Pvts. John A. Kirkpatrick and Charles A. Swan.

 

[gjpratt]

Josh,

Ed Bearss has complementary books on Brice's Crossroads and the Tupelo Campaign.

The latter was just reprinted by Savas Beatie under the auspices of Dave Powell: https://www.savasbeatie.com/outwitt...ssippi-june-22-july-23-1864/?ref=CivilWarTalk

His comprehensive Brice's Crossroads book was long considered definitive: https://www.amazon.com/Forrest-Bric...ississippi/dp/0317614401?tag=civilwartalkc-20 I'm intrigued, however by the Parsons' new book.

(Shameless boast -- I was fortunate enough to tour Brice's Crossroads with Mr. Bearss and have him inscribe my copy of his book)