The Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield was established in February of 1929 with the intention of preserving 1 acre in commemoration of the battle. While there are not many monuments at the site you can follow the list below to see many of the places with connections to the Battle of Brices Crossroads.
This monument was erected by the State of Mississippi in 1957. It represents the beginning of the Battle of Brices Cross Roads. The first shots of the battle took place in this location between the Federal Cavalry represented by the 4th Missouri and the Confederate cavalry represented by the 7th Tennessee. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
Near here the Federal and Confederate advance forces of cavalry met in their skirmish lines. The 2nd New Jersey Cavalry were equipped with Spencer repeating rifles and were able to inflict heavy casualties on the Confederate forces before falling back to the main Federal battle line. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretative Center.
Federal cavalry and artillery formed their first battle line here. The Federal army battle line extended five hundred yards north and more than a mile south, across the Guntown Road. The soldiers who were behind rail fences and dense scrub-oak thickets fought stubbornly as the Confederates pushed on to the crossroads. Hand to hand fighting occurred along this line. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
Confederates Second Battle Line. Pushing the Union forces back, General Forrest slowly closed his pincers movement, forcing General Sturgis' soldiers back towards the crossroads. This Confederate battle line was anchored on the Blackland Road four hundred yards northwest. The southern end of the battle line ran across the Guntown Road. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
Federal's Second Battle Line. General Sturgis was able to use his infantry here for the first time in the battle. General Forrest had beaten back the Federal cavalry before the Federal infantry reached the battlefield. Infantry and cavalry formed this second battle line. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
This granite monument was placed here in the 1930s. The National Battlefield was established and originally managed by the War Department starting in 1929. The monument commemorates the men who fought at the Battle of Brices Cross Roads. This is tour stop #6 on the Brices Cross Roads Driving Tour.
As Union troops retreated past this location toward Tishomingo Creek, they faced not only a blocked bridge and rain-swollen creek, but also deadly cannon fire coming from this ridge. Confederate artillerymen rained fire upon the scrambling Federal soldiers with four field guns--two twelve-pounder howitzers and two three-inch ordnance rifles. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
The end of the main part of the Battle at Brices Cross Roads centered on a small bridge across Tishomingo Creek. The rains of the previous several days had raised the water level of the creek, making it difficult to cross without using the bridge. The bridge soon became a bottleneck for General Sturgis expeditionary force as horses, wagons, cannon, and men attempted to cross the creek. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
James Jourdan was a confederate soldier from Alabama who was wounded at the Battle of Brices Cross Roads and died nearby at the Phillips family home. Sergeant Jourdan was buried on their property, and at some point two cedar trees were planted to mark his grave. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
This is the site of the Union defensive stand on the "White House Ridge" by the United States Colored Troops (USCT). It was here that the Federals attempted to stop the Confederate pursuit or at least slow it down to give the other Union regiments time to get themselves and the wagon train to safety. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
Sites:Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site, Tupelo National Battlefield
Our friends at the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center have exhibits and films, which interpret the Battle of Brices Cross Roads fought June 10, 1864 and the Battle of Tupelo/Harrisburg fought July 14-15, 1864.
This granite monument was placed here in the 1930s. The National Battlefield was established and originally managed by the War Department starting in 1929. The monument commemorates the men who fought at the Battle of Brices Cross Roads. This is tour stop #6 on the Brices Cross Roads Driving Tour.
Monument to the men of the 114th Illinois Volunteer Infantry in honor of the men who fought at Brices Cross Roads. It is one of the newest monuments to the Brices Cross Roads Battlefield. This monument was dedicated in the Summer of 2019. It was funded by the 114th Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry (Reactivated).
This granite monument was placed here in the 1930s. The National Battlefield was established and originally managed by the War Department starting in 1929. The monument commemorates the men who fought at the Battle of Tupelo, also known as the Battle of Harrisburg..
At 2 p.m. on July 15, 1864, Federals 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 Federal Army prevailed and the fight at Old Town Creek ended the Battle of Tupelo. This site is managed by the Mississippi Final Stands Interpretive Center.
The National Park Service administers the national battlefield site through the Natchez Trace Parkway. Since there are no visitor facilities at the battlefield site, visitors are welcome to learn more about the battlefield at the Parkway Visitor Center, located 15 miles south of Brices Cross Roads in Tupelo, at Milepost 266 of the Natchez Trace Parkway. The Parkway Visitor Center is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving. December 25, and January 1 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time).
Physical Address
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway Tupelo, MS38804
Mailing Address
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway Tupelo, MS38804
The Parkway Visitor Center is located at milepost 266 on the Natchez Trace Parkway. The visitor center is located near the intersection of highway 145 and the Natchez Trace Parkway north of Tupelo, Mississippi.
GPS Address for the Visitor Center:
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo, MS 38804
Every Day:9:00 AM–4:30 PM
The Parkway Visitor Center is open everyday except Thanksgiving, December 25, and January 1 from 9 am to 4:30 pm (Central Time).
It is best to call the Parkway Visitor Center at 1-800-305-7417. A Park Ranger is available to answer your questions 7 days a week during normal business hours. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st.
Phone Numbers
It is best to call the Parkway Visitor Center at 1-800-305-7417. A Park Ranger is available to answer your questions 7 days a week during normal business hours. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st.
Exhibits inside the Parkway Visitor Center NPS Photo
Last updated: January 5, 2021
Park footer
Contact Info
Mailing Address:
2680 Natchez Trace Parkway
Tupelo,
MS
38804
Phone:
18003057417
This is the best way to contact us. A park ranger is available 7 days a week during business hours to answer your questions about the park. The visitor center is closed Thanksgiving, December 25th and January 1st.