The Union victory over Confederate forces in north Mississippi ensured the safety of Sherman's supply lines during the Atlanta Campaign.

Interwoven with, and having important repercussions on, the fighting in northwestern Georgia were military operations in northeast Mississippi designed to prevent the Confederates under Lieutenant-General Stephen D. Lee and Major-General Nathan B. Forrest from striking into middle Tennessee and destroying the single-track railroad over which Sherman's army drew its supplies.

Lee then moved with the divisions of Chalmers and Brigadier-General A. Buford to attack Smith's flank, while Forrest with Mabry's Brigade, the escort, and his old regiment, assailed to the rear.

A running fight was kept up for ten miles, but without any considerable advantage to either side except a dash made upon the Federal wagon train by Chalmers, with Rucker's Brigade, near Bartram's Shop.

Chalmers' Division, dismounted, was ordered forward and, after Mabry and Bell had been repulsed, Rucker's Brigade made an equally futile assault.

A little after noon the Confederates fell back and entrenched, but were not molested by Union forces, who contented themselves with tearing up the railroad in the vicinity of Tupelo and burning the town of Harrisburg.