Both sides were looking to destroy key rail lines and disrupt supplies of men and material. Forrest wanted to destroy the Nashville & Chattanooga line. Sturgis hoped to destroy the Mobile and Ohio line that ran North from Tupelo.
Outnumbered more than 2 to 1, Forrest used his mobile cavalry to threaten both ends of the Union line and concentrated cannon fire on the center of the line. The Union was driven from the field and Forrest’s legend grew.
