On June 10, 1864, Union forces under Samuel Sturgis, including cavalry and infantry divisions, aimed to counter Confederate cavalry led by Nathan Bedford Forrest in Mississippi. Sturgis' movement from Memphis was delayed by rain, but his forces eventually engaged Forrest's troops at Brice's Crossroads. Despite initial success in capturing the crossroads near Ripley before 10 A.M., Sturgis' men encountered a larger Confederate force, leading to a significant battle in the heavily wooded area near Guntown.
Brice's Crossroads itself is placed in a heavily wooded area near Guntown. In the morning of June 10th, Sturgis sets out to capture the crossroads, securing it before 10 A.M. after some light skirmishing. Pushing on beyond the crossroads the Federals encounter a far larger force. https://t.co/oplf9kEn9a
On June 9th, Sturgis' men encamped outside of Ripley. Realizing that Sturgis is likely heading for Tupelo, and he will likely have to march through Brice's Crossroads, Forrest decides he will give battle to Sturgis as soon as possible. https://t.co/aXTWpTRKGV
Sturgis force consists of a division of cavalry under Benjamin Grierson as well as a division of infantry commanded by William L. McMillen. A force more than big enough to effectively face Forrest in battle. https://t.co/t61Wfy8Nu0
Forrest was in Alabama when Sturgis first began his movement from Memphis. Sturgis is generally expected to move southward to rip up the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. Thankfully for the Rebel cavalry however, Sturgis movement is much delayed by rain. https://t.co/HriyrpDB5n
Sherman has tasked Federal cavalry commander Samuel Sturgis to deal with the ever looming threat of Forrest in Mississippi, he has under him 13,000 men at Memphis which he intends to use to destroy Forrest's Cavalry Corps. https://t.co/0JR2fFbGOW
June 10th, 1864 Johnston and Sherman's Armies are currently entrenching around Marietta, Georgia as the Atlanta Campaign continues to rage. But Sherman has become quite concerned about the risk of Nathan Bedford Forrest's Cavalry raiding against his supply lines. https://t.co/EO5LMRyMV6
“The transitory effect Brices Cross Roads had upon Confederate fortunes has done little to undermine the battle’s significance in historical memory,” writes Ryan Gingeras (@nords41). https://t.co/sz7a0vxp6J
The 1863 Battle Of Brandy Station was an important battle during the American Civil War. Technically a Union loss, but it meant the end of the Confederate cavalry's dominance in the Eastern theater of the ACW, & foreshadowed the Union victory at the Battle Of Gettysburg. https://t.co/mDAE4mFAyl
On this day in 1863, 11,000 mounted Union troops take on 9,500 Confederate riders at Brandy Station, Virginia. It's the the largest cavalry battle in U.S. history. https://t.co/66enOmuG8p