Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
from Roanoke.
Salem, Va. May 27, 1861.
The crops promise to yield the most abundantly of any year for a decade past.
The wheat has the finest appearance I most ever saw. We have two volunteer companies in service.
Another company will leave in a day or two for the seat of war. Two more companies are being organized, and will soon be ready for active service.
They are composed of the very best material, and each one when the tug of war comes, will prove himself worthy of the palmiest days of the republic.
Roanoke may well be proud to entrust her honor and liberty in their hands.
One is an Artillery company, Capt Hupp, the other two are Rifle, Captains Dyerle and Rock.
We have two companies of Home Guard, one of which the members are to be over fifty years old, or others who are muster free.
The members of the other are between the age of twelve and eighteen.
The two companies together number about one hundred and thirty. Mr. Wells, the able and efficient professor of Mathematics in Roanoke College, is engineer of our Aridity company now in service. The Hon. H. A. Edmundson, Mr. Wm. Watts, an eminent lawyer, and representative of Roanoke in the State Convention of 18--, and Mr. H. A. Blair, States Attorney, are members of the Rifle Company. Every member of the three companies is of the highest respectability and standing in society. Any one may well understand what they volunteer for. Ah when one's rights are menaced you will see every citizen spring to arms as if by magic.
We are unanimous for secession, and through it, as the only means to secure our liberties and rights.
