The rebel strategy at this time contemplated severing the railroad communication between Memphis and Corinth. To prevent that disaster, and effectually to check the advance of the insurgents, General Rosecrans, on the 19th of September, gave battle to the rebels under General Price, attacking them near the village of Iuka. The battle commenced toward evening, the attack being made by two brigades of Missouri cavalry, commanded by General Stanley and General Hamilton, supported by the Fifth Ohio, Colonel Matthias—an excellent officer and a brave man—and the Eleventh Ohio battery. The latter, placed in position on the brow of a hill, commanded the road in front, and did great service. The Fifth Ohio and the Twenty-sixth Missouri occupied a position on the right under cover of woods. On the left of the road and slightly in advance of the battery, was stationed the Forty-eighth Indiana. The rebel forces, comprising eighteen regiments, were commanded by General Price, in person. The rebels, largely outnumbering the Unionists, hurled themselves, at the outset, in a dense mass upon the front of the National line, and strove to break it. To bring up new troops to its support was impossible. At first, it appeared that the Federals would give way; great confusion prevailed; but just at the critical moment General Stanley pushed to the front, to aid General Hamilton in reforming the disordered troops. His presence had a magical effect; and when at length the Eleventh Missouri, a part of his division, was pushed to the right, where it united with the Twenty-sixth Missouri and the Fifth Iowa, a gallant and successful stand was made against the enemy, who was finally driven back with great loss. From this time, until darkness put an end to the battle, the rebels, confident in their great numerical strength, made repeated and desperate attacks upon the National forces—attacks which, in every instance, were bravely met, and successfully repulsed. [Illustration: JEFFERSON DAVIS.] The brunt of the battle was borne by General Hamilton’s regiments, who well deserve the honor due to dauntless bravery. General Stanley’s division, being in the rear, was, with the exception of the Eleventh Missouri, before named—which rendered signal service—prevented from taking an active part in the conflict. On the morning of the 20th, it was found that the rebels had fled—in a southerly direction. General Hamilton and General Stanley immediately started in pursuit with cavalry, following the foe for fifteen miles. Then, worn out with labor and fighting, and famished for want of food, they discontinued the pursuit and returned to camp. BATTLE OF CORINTH, MISS. OCTOBER 3 AND 4, 1862.