Meridian Expedition

The Meridian Expedition took place from February 3 to March 6, 1864 under the command of Major General William Tecumseh Sherman,[1] in command of the Department of the Tennessee. The columns were under the command of Brigadier General William Sooy Smith and Colonel James H. Coates. The expedition was tasked to destroy a rebel cavalry commanded by Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest, maintain communications with Middle Tennessee and take men from the defense on the Mississippi River to the Atlanta Campaign. To maintain communications, they were to protect the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The expedition ended with the Union Army abandoning Yazoo City.[2]

Campaign

On February 3 General Sherman’s column left Vicksburg, Mississippi and faced multiple skirmishes at Liverpool Heights; on February 4 at Champion’s Hill, Queen’s Hill, Edwards’ Ferry, and near Bolton Depot; on February 5 at Baker’s Creek, Clinton, Jackson; and on February 6 at Hillsborough. They then advanced from Memphis, Tennessee to Wyatt, Mississippi from February 6 to the 18 with skirmishes at Brandon, Morton, Satartia on February 7. February 8; Coldwater Ferry, near Morton, near and at Senatobia until February 9. From February 9 to March 6 Yazoo City was occupied by Union forces. On February 20; skirmishes took place at Hillsborough, Morton. Brigadier General W. Sooy Smith’s Column advanced from Collierville, Tennessee with further skirmishes at Raiford’s Plantation on February 11. February 12; Wall Hill, Holly Springs. February 13 skirmishes at Wyatt. February 13 to 14 skirmishes took place between Chunky Creek and Meridian. From February 14 to 20 during the Battle of Meridian, Meridian was occupied by Union forces. Further skirmishes took place at Marion Station from February 15 to 17. February 16 Lauderdale Springs. February 17 a skirmish took place near Pontotoc, Houlka Swamp, and on February 18 near Okolona, Aberdeen. February 19; Houston, Egypt Station, near Meridian. February 20 near West Point. February 21; Ellis’ Bridge, West Point, Prairie Station, Okolona. February 21 to 22 at Union. February 22; at the Battle of Okolona, and near Ivey’s Hill, Tallahatchie. February 23; skirmish near New Albany. February 23 at Tippah River, Canton. February 25 at Hudsonville. February 26 near Canton. February 27 at Madisonville, Sharon. February 28 at Pearl River, near Yazoo City. February 29 near Canton. March 2 at Canton. March 3 at Liverpool, Brownsville. General Sherman’s column arrived at Vicksburg on March 4. March 5 Yazoo City was attacked and abandoned by Union forces on March 6.[3]

Divisions

The 16th Army Corps was under the command of Major General Stephan A. Hurlbut. The First Division was under the command of Brigadier General James M. Tuttle. It was composed of the First Brigade under Col. William L. McMillen, Second Brigade under Brigadier General Joseph A. Mower, Third Brigade under Col. James L. Geddes, and Artillery under Captain Nelson T. Spoor. The Third Division was under the command of Brigadier General Andrew J. Smith. It was composed of the First Brigade under Col. David Moore, Second Brigade under Col. William T. Shaw, Third Brigade under Col. Edward H. Wolfe and Col. Risdon M. Moore, and Artillery was under Captain James M. Cockefair. The Fourth Division was under the command of Brigadier General James C. Veatch. It was composed of the First Brigade under Col. Milton Montgomery and Second Brigade under Col. James H. Howe.

The 17th Army Corps was under the command of General James B. McPherson. The First Division was composed of the Third Brigade under Brigadier General Alexander Chambers. Third Division was under Brigadier General Mortimer D. Leggett. It was composed of the First Brigade under Brigadier General Manning F. Force, Second Brigade under Col. Benjamin F. Potts, Third Brigade under Brigadier General Jasper A. Maltby and Artillery under Captain William S. Williams. The Fourth Division was under Brigadier General Marcellus M. Crocker. It was composed of the First Brigade under Brigadier General Thomas Kilby Smith, Second Brigade under Col. Cyrus Hall, Third Brigade under Brigadier General Walter Q. Gresham, Artillery under Captain John W. Powell, Cavalry under Col. Edward F. Winslow. Smith’s Column was commanded by Brigadier General William Sooy Smith. It was composed of the First Brigade under Col. George E. Waring, Jr., Second Brigade under Lieutenant Col. William P. Hepburn, Third Brigade under Col. Lafayette McCrillis, and the 4th United States under Captain Charles S. Bowman.[4]

Total Troops

The 16th Army Corps First Division aggregate 5,558 men, Third Division 6,854 men, and Fourth Division 3,735 men. 17th Army Corps Headquarters aggregate 99 men, First Division 2,329 men, Third Division 8,640 men, Fourth Division 7,641 men, Cavalry 4,215 men. The total aggregate of men present and absent on the Meridian expedition was 38,071 men.[5]

Casualties

The total casualties during the Meridian expedition was 150 during the Okolona battle. The Meridian battle casualties is unknown.[6]

Bibliography

References

  1. ↑ United States Congress. Congressional Edition, Volume 2873. (U.S. G.P.O., 1891) p. 164
  2. ↑ Sherman, William T. Memoirs of General W.T. Sherman. http://www.sonofthesouth.net/union-generals/sherman/memoirs/general-sherman-meridan-campaign.htm (March 21, 2014)
  3. ↑ United States Congress. Congressional Edition, Volume 2873. (U.S. G.P.O., 1891) p. 164-5
  4. ↑ United States Congress. Congressional Edition, Volume 2873. (U.S. G.P.O., 1891) p. 168-72
  5. ↑ United States Congress. Congressional Edition, Volume 2873. (U.S. G.P.O., 1891) p. 172
  6. ↑ National Park Service. Mississippi Civil Wars Battles. http://www.legendsofamerica.com/ms-civilwarbattles5.html (March 23, 2014)

External links

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