The Daily Dispatch: November 9, 1863., [Electronic resource]

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Advance of the enemy in force-fight near Brandy.

On Saturday Gen. Meade commenced an advance in force. About 12 o'clock our force, variously stated at from two to four brigades, stationed beyond Brandy Station, was attacked by an overwhelming force of the enemy and a desperate fight ensued. It is certain that Haye's (Louisiana) and Hoke's (North Carolina) brigades constituted a portion, if not all, of our force. After a hot fight nearly all of these brigades, except, it is said, about 600, were captured by the enemy, who had managed to surround them.--The force of the Yankees was estimated at from 10,000 to 15,000. They also crossed in force at Kelley's Ford. We lost four pieces of artillery. We have a report by the Central cars that Gen. Hoke was severely wounded.

An officer who came down yesterday says that the two brigades — Haye's and Hoke's — did not lose more than 900 men in the affair, all the rest escaping.

It is evident that the Army of Northern Virginia is on the eve of a great battle. --Whether Gen. Lee will fight Meade on the Rappahannock or Rapidan is not certain; but it is most likely that he will give battle at the latter point. This advance of Meade is foreshadowed in the Northern news we publish this morning, and we understand that it was known in our army the first part of last week that he had orders to attack Gen. Lee.

Passengers by the Central cars name Posey's (Georgia) brigade as among the troops in the fight, but we have no confirmation of the report.