Last updated: May 4, 2021
Thing to Do
Exploring The Battle of Tupelo
NPS
More than 20,000 Union and Confederate soldiers fought here between the morning of July 14 and the evening of July 15, 1864.
On the morning of July 14, the Battle of Tupelo began at 7:30 a.m. when the Confederates began a series of uncoordinated charges against the Federal position. These attacks were beaten back with heavy losses. Failing to break the Federal center, the Confederates attacked the Federal right, again without 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 was taking its toll on his soldiers. Also, due to bad planning, his men had little but coffee and worm-infested hardtack to eat, and their ammunition supply was very low.
At 2 p.m. 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 p.m., 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. Among the casualties was Forrest himself, who was kept out of action for three weeks.
See The Battle for additional information.
1st Stop: Tupelo National Battlefield
2083 Main St.
Tupelo, MS 38801
2nd Stop: Battle of Old Town Creek, location of fighting on July 15, 1864
4154 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Tupelo, MS
On the morning of July 14, the Battle of Tupelo began at 7:30 a.m. when the Confederates began a series of uncoordinated charges against the Federal position. These attacks were beaten back with heavy losses. Failing to break the Federal center, the Confederates attacked the Federal right, again without 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 was taking its toll on his soldiers. Also, due to bad planning, his men had little but coffee and worm-infested hardtack to eat, and their ammunition supply was very low.
At 2 p.m. 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 p.m., 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. Among the casualties was Forrest himself, who was kept out of action for three weeks.
See The Battle for additional information.
1st Stop: Tupelo National Battlefield
2083 Main St.
Tupelo, MS 38801
2nd Stop: Battle of Old Town Creek, location of fighting on July 15, 1864
4154 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Tupelo, MS
Details
Duration
30-50 Minutes
Most visitors spend 10 or so minutes at each location and then the drive between locations is about 15 minutes.
Activity
Self-Guided Tours - Auto
Pets Allowed
Yes
Must be on a six foot leash at all times. Owners must pick up after their pets. There are not trash cans at either site. Visitors must take all trash with them.
Activity Fee
No
Entrance fees may apply, see Fees & Passes information.
Location
Tupelo, MS
This "Thing To Do" begins at the Tupelo National Battlefield.
Tupelo National Battlefield (NB) is a one-acre monument located on Main Street, Tupelo, Mississippi. Tupelo NB sits on the south side of Main Street on the west side of Tupelo. Exit off the Natchez Trace Parkway onto Main Street (near Milepost 260), head east, into Tupelo. Travel one mile east and find Tupelo NB on the right side of Main Street. There is limited parking available adjacent to the monument.
GPS Address for the Battlefield:
2083 Main St.
Tupelo, MS 38801
2nd Stop: Battle of Old Town Creek, location of fighting on July 15, 1864
4154 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Tupelo, MS
Tupelo National Battlefield (NB) is a one-acre monument located on Main Street, Tupelo, Mississippi. Tupelo NB sits on the south side of Main Street on the west side of Tupelo. Exit off the Natchez Trace Parkway onto Main Street (near Milepost 260), head east, into Tupelo. Travel one mile east and find Tupelo NB on the right side of Main Street. There is limited parking available adjacent to the monument.
GPS Address for the Battlefield:
2083 Main St.
Tupelo, MS 38801
2nd Stop: Battle of Old Town Creek, location of fighting on July 15, 1864
4154 Mt. Vernon Rd.
Tupelo, MS
Reservations
No
Season
Year Round
Time of Day
Day
Accessibility Information
This activity involves driving between locations. There is a small amount of walking at Tupelo National Battlefield from the parking area to the monument and cannons. This walk is through grass and uneven terrain. The battlefield site is not wheelchair accessible.
Battle of Old Town Creek Site interpretive signs are near the parking area along a paved sidewalk. This site is wheelchair accessible.
Battle of Old Town Creek Site interpretive signs are near the parking area along a paved sidewalk. This site is wheelchair accessible.