Tupelo Campaign: Harrisburg July 14

Tupelo Campaign: Harrisburg July 14. . The sun rose on July 14 with Union General Andrew J. Smith having stolen the advantage from Confederate Generals Forrest and Lee. The Union line occupied high ground, facing west and north The Confederate forces, with 7,500 men compared to Smith's 14,000, would have to attack across open fields with very little cover to shield them from the blazing summer sun or the enemy's guns. , General Forrest did not wish to attack under these circumstances, but he was overruled by his superior General Stephen D. Lee. Lee decided to make a frontal assault on the Union position., Due to confusion or misunderstanding, Colonel Edward Crossland's Kentucky brigade in the center attacked before the other brigades were ready, and as a result were mowed down by Union gunfire. The Confederate left attacked next and was repulsed in turn. General James Chalmers received conflicting orders from Forrest and Lee and was delayed in getting his troops into position. Soldiers under Forrest's command on the Confederate right never engaged with the enemy that day, as Forrest decided the risk was too great., Smith's superior numbers and advantageous position ruled the day. Confederate troops demonstrated great courage under fire but could not overcome the Federals' greater numbers and their own disintegrating battle plan. By early afternoon Confederate forces had retreated to prepare for the next day. , "The morning of July 14 found the enemy strongly entrenched behind breastworks at the head of a gentle slope, and protected at the sides and rear by a dense stretch of forest. It was an ideal position, and one which General Forrest himself would have chosen had he reached the spot first." , Captain John W. Morton, Artillery Chief, Forrest's Cavalry, [Photo Captions] , Top Right: "Battle Field of Tupelo. House of the Three Chimneys," , by Elijah E. Edwards, chaplain of the 7th Minnesota Infantry. , DePauw University Archives., Right Middle: Elijah E. Edwards, chaplain of the 7th , Minnesota Infantry, drew this , picture of General Joseph A. Mower, who led , the infantry during the Tupelo Campaign. , DePauw University Archives.