Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
the Riflemen of the mountains--a patriotic county.
Buchanan, Botetourt, Va., May 12.
Since my last this county has been up and a-doing.
The volunteers of the county have been drilling, while the ladies and citizens have been busy making up clothes, canteens, cups, knapsacks, &c., for them.
On last Friday orders came for the volunteers to repair to Lynchburg as soon as practicable.
This caused still more activity on the part of the citizens; and oil-cloth for knapsacks having given out, carriage curtains, table and piano covers, &c., were put in requisition, and to-day the last knapsack for the Mountain Rifles was completed, and on day after to-morrow (Wednesday) they will leave for Lynchburg.
They unmoor about one hundred men, most of whom are from childhood accustomed to the use of the rifle, and can put out a squirrel's eye as far as they can see it.
The Blue Ridge Rifles, (eighty men,) of the same county, and of like material, will leave with them for the same place.
The Roaring Run Rifles, another splendid company from this county, about 70.
men, expect to leave for the same rendezvous next Friday, making in all 250 men who will leave this week, and to-day the County Court voted an appropriation of twelve thousand dollars, (to assist in arming and equipping the men, and supporting the families which may be left at home,) which in addition to the various private subscriptions already made in this county, swells the amount to about twenty thousand dollars in money, exclusive of corn, flour and meat.
New companies are forming rapidly, and old Botetourt will furnish twelve or fifteen hundred of as good men as ever raised the deadly rifle or charged the bayonet.
Some of the companies are composed almost entirely of men who opposed secession till old ‘"Abe's"’ proclamation came forth, but they are now as one man, no discordant voice is heard, but each and every one of them goes forward to do or die. May they live to see the bright day when the sons of the sunny South are once more as free as the balmy air they breathe.
T. A. H.
P. S,--The Light Horse company will also leave this week.
This makes the 4th full company from this county this week. T. A. H. 