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Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
Onward March of Secession — Old Botetourt
throwing flags to the breeze.

The secession move is making rapid progress among us. At the election for delegates to the Convention our county gave a large majority for the Union ticket, and if the question was now put to the voters of Botetourt, I believe there would be five secessionists to one Union man in the county.

In front of our Court-House there was raised and still stands, one of the prettiest secession flags in the State, it being fifteen feet long and about 6 feet wide. Upon one side is beautifully painted Virginia's coat of arms, on the other seven stars, and the motto "Union with our Southern sisters."

There has been thrown to the breeze at least half a dozen respectable sized flags in our town from private residences--one at our Male and one at our Female Academies.

This afternoon was set apart for the raising of another, by the young men of the Male Academy; but it will have to be postponed, as it is now pouring down rain.

Guess "Uncle Sam" would be furious, if he had seen, as I did, the United States mail coach leaving our town this morning, with four flags of the Confederate States gracefully waving--one from the head of each horse.--We don't care for his rage — we are bound to go for secession, right or wrong, and give it a trial.

Our mountain boys are all excitement, daily expecting to hear of a conflict at Charleston. When it does come, old Botetourt will be represented in the Confederate Army by her sons, who will never permit a foe to walk unmolested over the soil of a sister State.

When war begins, the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia will, for a time, cease to echo the report of the hunter's unerring rifle. The deer may feed in repose, for its enemy will be on the track of a less noble animal — the Yankee of New England.

To-morrow the ladies of our town propose presenting to the Botetourt Dragoons a beautiful flag — such an one as so noble a band of men deserve. I wish them a bright and happy day.

We claim to have one of the best drilled dragoon companies in the State, and believe them every one true as steel and all right for South Carolina, unless it is with one exception, and that one has been dishonored by voting to aid the Federal Government in coercing a seceding State.

I'll keep you advised of the progress of secession. W.

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April 12th, 1861 AD (1)
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