While Buell is facing Bragg's threat in…

While Buell is facing Bragg's threat in Kentucky, Confederate operations in northern Mississippi ire aimed at preventing Buell's reinforcement by Grant, who is preparing for his upcoming Vicksburg campaign.

Halleck had departed for Washington, and Grant has been left without interference as commander of the District of West Tennessee.

On September 14, Major General Sterling Price moves his Confederate Army of the West to Iuka, twenty miles (thirty-two kilometers) east of Corinth.

He intends to link up with Major General Earl Van Dorn's Army of West Tennessee and operate against Grant, but Grant sends forces under Major Generals William S. Rosecrans and Edward Ord to attack Price's force at Iuka.