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Mississippi's Final Stands Interpretive Center discusses the history of the Civil War battles in and around the Tupelo area. The center contains exhibits and films depicting the history of the Battle of Brice's Crossroads and the Battle of Harrisburg/Old Town Creek, two Civil War battles that took place in Mississippi. Focusing on the role of Mississippi in the Civil War, the center educates visitors about the history behind the battles themselves and the war as a whole. The center is located four miles east of the site of the Battle of Brice's Crossroads.

The outside of the Final Stands Interpretive Center

The outside of the Final Stands Interpretive Center

One of the exhibits inside the center

One of the exhibits inside the center
Mississippi's Final Stands Interpretive Center aims to educate visitors about two Civil War battles that took place in Mississippi. The center focuses on the Battle of Brice's Crossroads, which took place on June 10, 1864, and the Battle of Harrisburg/Old Town Creek, which took place July 13-15, 1864. By focusing on these two battles, the center displays Mississippi's role in the Civil War and educates visitors about the area's military history.

The center aims to provide visitors with a complete look at the Civil War and features a timeline of events, a memorial and remembrance wall, and several army definitions that help visitors understand the descriptions of the battles. On a more local level, the center also focuses heavily on Mississippi's place in the Civil War. The complete stories of the Brice's Crossroads and the Harrisburg/Old Town Creek battles are present at the center, giving visitors a detailed look at the Civil War history of the area.

The two battles fought in Mississippi during the summer of 1864 were part of the Atlanta campaign. They came as a result of the Union military plan known as the March to the Sea. This plan, in which the Union troops would bisect the south all the way to the sea and conquer Atlanta on the way, was dependent upon the use of railroads that carried food and ammunition from Tennessee to Atlanta. The goal of the Union troops during the Battle of Brice's Crossroads was to prevent Confederate interference with this rail line. Although the Confederates were victorious in the battle, they were unable to interrupt the Union railroad supply line. Later in the summer, the Confederates were not successful at the Battle of Harrisburg/Old Town Creek. This allowed the Union to continue use of the shipping line into Atlanta.
1. Interpretive Center. Final Stands. Accessed June 26, 2019. https://www.finalstands.com/interperpretive-center.

2. Mississippi's Final Stands Civil War Center. Tupelo. Accessed June 26, 2019. https://www.tupelo.net/vendor/mississippis-final-stands-civil-war-center/.

3. History. Final Stands. Accessed June 27, 2019. https://www.finalstands.com/history.