Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
letter from "Oats" --troops off for the Border--a thrilling scene.
University of Va., April 18, 1861.
Last night was a night of thrilling excitement in the town of Charlottesville, as well as in this immediate vicinity.
The news from Richmond was so joyfully received, that if any of Lincoln's myrmidons had been present, they must have paled and trembled before the mighty outburst of Southern feeling.--Captain Duke, of the Monticello Guard, received a dispatch during the day from the Governor, which had the effect of electricity among the students of this glorious Institution and the gallant volunteers of Charlottesville.
The two companies from the town, and the two from the University--"the Southern Guard" and "the Sons of Liberty, " students, and composed of the flower of our Southern youth — appropriately uniformed and officered, turned out well, averaging about seventy each.
The Charlottesville companies were full, and these, joined by the West Augusta Guard, who arrived about 10 ½ P. M., swelled the number of soldiers to near five hundred men, sent on a service both of danger and honor.
Among the members of the Southern Guard, the University company, I noticed a relative of Bishop Elliott, of Georgia, and a son of the Rev. John C. McCabe.--Thousands assembled at the depot, and addresses were made to the gallant young soldiers by Shelton F. Leake, Esq., Col. Robert R. Prentis, Esq., Procter of the University of Virginia. Prof. Holmes and Mr. Berry of Alexandria, amid the waving of Handkerchiefs from the ladies, and the shouts of thousands.
About 11 o'clock at night they moved off, while "God bless you," "good bye," and "be victorious," were uttered by many a lip. The forms of ministers of the gospel were amid the "boys," and their voices heard in commending them all to the protection of Heaven.
It was, on the whole, a thrilling time.
Oats. 