English: Map of battlefield study area.

The Study Area was reduced around Meridian to include only areas within the city’s 1864 boundaries and locations associated with the Federal encampment north of the city. The Federal approach route from the northwest was added to the Study Area, while a route on the east side of the Study Area was removed (it was not associated with the battle dates of February 13-15, 1864).

Although Sherman expected to engage Confederate forces during his approach to the city and within Meridian itself, no real fighting occurred. Confederate troops departed from Meridian before Sherman’s troops arrived. Federal forces occupied the city without substantial engagement with Confederate troops. Because no fighting occurred, the Core Area established by the CWSAC in 1993 was removed.