Price, on learning that Rosecrans had
retired on Corinth, telegraphed Van Dorn that he would turn back
and co-operate in an attack on Corinth. Bragg telegraphed him to
hasten towards Nashville. Rosecrans wired Grant to "watch the old
wood-pecker or he would get away from them." September 17th,
Halleck telegraphed Grant to prevent Price from crossing the
Tennessee and forming a junction with Bragg. Grant telegraphed he
would "do everything in his power to prevent such a catastrophe,"
and he began concentrating his troops against Price at Iuka.
General E. O. C. Ord was moved to Burnsville, where Grant established
his headquarters, and Rosecrans marched his two divisions to Jacinto,
with orders to move on Iuka, flank Price, and cut off his retreat.
General Stephen A. Hurlburt was ordered to make a strong demonstration
from Bolivar, Tennessee, against Van Dorn, then near Grand Junction
with about 10,000 effective men, and lead him to believe he was in
immediate danger of an attack, and thus prevent him from making a
diversion in aid of Price by marching on Corinth. This ruse was
successful. Orders were given by Grant and preparation was made
by Ord to attack Price at Iuka as soon as Rosecrans' guns on the
Jacinto road were heard. About 4 P.M., September 19th, C. S.
Hamilton's division, under Rosecrans, attacked Little's division
of Price's army on the Jacinto road, and a severe combat ensued
until night, with varying success, both sides at dark claiming a
victory. Neither Grant nor Ord heard the sound of the battle in
consequence of the intervening dense woods and an unfavorable wind.
Rosecrans did not or could not advise Grant of the state of affairs,
and the latter did not learn of the battle until 8.30 A.M. of the
20th. Price retreated in the night with his forces towards Baldwyn,
on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, whither Grant ordered Ord with
Hamilton's and Stanley's divisions and the cavalry to pursue. The
pursuit was ineffectual. The battle of Iuka was fought after 4
P.M., principally by two opposing brigades, each about 4000 strong.
The Union loss was, killed 141, wounded 613, missing 36, total 790.

The Confederate loss, as reported, was, killed 85, wounded 410,
missing 40, total 535.( 7)

After Iuka Rosecrans was placed in command at Corinth, Grant having
established his headquarters at Jackson, Tennessee. Hurlburt was
at Bolivar, Tennessee, with his division. Though Halleck had partly
constructed d