Ghost of
the Battlefield
Smith was criticized for not destroying
Forrest and although he was hasty to leave
the field, the Union forces had in fact
inflicted a tactical defeat on the legendary
Forrest. Sherman's supply lines had been
protected from Confederate raids. Although
Smith had achieved his main goal of the
campaign, Forrest's cavalry still remained
at large as a viable force.
Often ghost photos are snapped here but
because it is in a major city area EVP's
have not been reported. A investigation
is underway by local Ghost Hhunters and
out of area groups and more information
will be coming soon.
Tupelo ghost photo sent
to us by Wendy Gates.
The battle is commemorated at the Tupelo
National Battlefield. The memorial (less
than a city block size) to the Battle of
Tupelo, Mississippi
Tupelo
Mississippi the birth place of Elvis Presley:
http://www.tupelo.net/about-tupelo/
The grounds of Tupelo National Battlefield
are open during daylight hours everyday
of the year. The National Park Service administers
the National Battlefield through the Natchez
Trace Parkway. Visitors are welcome to ask
questions and learn more about the battlefield
at the Parkway Visitor Center (Milepost
266) located about six miles north of the
monument. The Visitor Center is open every
day of the year except December 25, 8:00
a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time). The Natchez
Trace Parkway can be reached at 800-305-7417.
Visitors to Tupelo can walk the same countryside
that Hernando De Soto explored in 1540,
when he and his traveling party stumbled
upon a tribe of Chickasaw Indians among
the hills of the wooded countryside. Defending
the land of their ancestors, the fierce-fighting
Chickasaws pushed the Spanish explorer to
the west and onward to the Mississippi River,
the discovery that made De Soto's name immortal.
Two centuries later, more bloodshed led
to British control of the region. Chickasaw
warriors, armed by England, drove back French
invaders and their Indian allies, the Choctaws.
It is known as the Battle of Ackia - a victory
that helped Great Britain establish a foothold
in North America that would last until the
Revolution.
But war is not the only thread that runs
through Tupelo's history.
The Natchez Trace, now a scenic parkway,
weaves itself through Tupelo's past and
into its future. Built to facilitate trade
with the Natchez Indians to the South, the
now-famous route has endured, serving British
travelers in the 1700's and an ensuing flood
of settlers who built peaceful civilizations
up and down its great length.
But peace was again interrupted when more
than 20,000 Union and Confederate troopers
clashed in July 1864 at the Battle of Tupelo.
Led by Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest,
Confederate cavalry assaulted Union soldiers
assigned to protect the supply lines of
General William T. Sherman in his famous
march to Atlanta. The Union forces ultimately
retreated to Memphis, leaving casualties
from both sides at nearly 2,000.
Within five years, Tupelo officially became
a city, taking its name from the native
Tupelo Gum Tree. By 1887, the town's modern
roots were being planted at the crossroads
of several converging railroads: the Mobile
& Ohio, Kansas City and the Memphis
& Birmingham. Tupelo's emergence as
a railway and manufacturing power helped
ensure its status as the first U.S. city
to switch on a cheap and reliable source
of electricity, through the Tennessee Valley
Authority.
The monument at Tupelo National Battlefield
is set along Main Street in Tupelo. The
surroundings are a stark contrast to the
era being memorialized at the one-acre site.
There are no fees or reservations associated
with Tupelo National Battlefield. The site
is a unit of the National Park Service and
is administered by the Natchez Trace Parkway,
headquartered in Tupelo, along at Parkway
Milepost 266. For questions concerning the
site call the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor
Center at 1-800-305-7417. The Visitor Center
is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Central Time),
every day except December 25. Visitors can
view cannons, a monument, and an interpretive
wayside.
Tupelo National Battlefield
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo, MS 38804
E-mail Us
Phone
For more information
(800) 305-7417
Park business
(662) 680-4025
Fax
(662) 680-4034
Elvis Presley Birthplace
and Museum
The most significant landmark of Tupelo's
modern history is Elvis Presley's two-room
house where he was born on January 8, 1935.
The city is also home to the Tupelo Automobile
Museum, Tupelo Buffalo Park, two area National
Battlefield sites, the Oren Dunn City Museum
and the Natchez Trace Parkway headquarters.
In addition, guests can enjoy visual and
performing arts through ballet, art exhibitions
and wonderful productions by the symphony,
community concerts and theatre.
Festivals abound in Tupelo with the Blue
Suede Cruise featuring hundreds of classic
cars, the GumTree Festival showcasing original
artwork and paintings by regional artists,
and the Elvis Presley Festival presenting
top-notch live entertainment.
Tupelo Convention & Visitors Bureau
800.533.0611
www.tupelo.net
ALSO SEE: THE TOP
TEN MOST HAUNTED BATTLEFIELD LIST
Though
the battles have long ago ended and the
sound of cannons and muskets is but a distant
memory, there are some souls who are still
waiting for the call to “Retreat”
– and for them, it may never come!
Make
plans to visit a Haunted Battlefield today!
<
VISIT HERE TO VIEW FULL LIST >
