The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1862-01-02
[For the Richmond Dispatch ]
"Cncle Benz

Who has not heard Of "Uncle Her," or
"Old Ben,' as he il familiarity and various
~ called by his friends, and even by those
who are personally Strangers to him The
Affirmation may be safely ventured that
there isn't man in the army OF the PENN
sula, or woman from Williamsburg to
Hampton, 10 whom his name does not sug-
Eest the idea OF personal proves and OF
gallant, even of reckless daring, whilst TO
the plundeTing, thieving Yankee 1t Is as ter
rible as that OF Blue Beard to nursery chill
dreu.
Benjamin PHILIPPE, sr., is one OF n umer
Gus family OF Elizabeth City county, which
has furnished some Of the bravsst defenders
of Virginia's soil from the in vasion and pei
luton of foul and pestilent foe. Even al
the hazard OF disrobing him OF some, per-
haps, of the attractions with which q roman
tic spirit would invest him, on the score OF
ycuth grace, and agility, we must be par
donad for saying that Uncle Ben" Is nc
carfet-knight or gay cavalier, who would
ehise as gracefully in the saloons OF fishion
or the bourdoirs OF beauty as in the wild
blvcuac or hant-to-hapd encounter with Il
willy and trsac heyous foe. He Is q plain,
"hard listed" yeoman, one of that class of
whom Goldsmith speaks of as tn cir .coun-
uy's PRIDE" who constitute likewise L..
strongest bulwark, or rather Of whom Daniel
Boone is perhaps the fittest prototype, who
when home and nresides are assailed or
threatened, leap to the conflict Us a bride.
groom 10 hi. chamber.
Pas. the age when he might have bean ex-
rectad TO enlist as volunteer, or even to be
enrolled am ong the militia, as soon rs the
tocsin OF war was sounded, and Virginia
summoned her sons to her defence, he enter
81 the ranks as private IN the "Uid DOmin-
ion Drngoone,' among ito HIM mere parcel
OF boys and 1t may be said, without dispar-
aEement ofthe individ a III merits Of any mem
Der of that gallant Corps, that his deeds have
shed C lnstre upon Its bright career, infer ior
TO that OF no 9th er one. One OF the party
that captured the first lire YANKEES, we believe,
tr h. I,a ~ ~F
his solitary ram bies ir quest OF such game
fell Ia with five OF those cowardlv epecim enc
OF tnhumanity. from whom he made good
his escape, with only slight bayonet wound,
which he los, and having sent one at leas,
ofthe miserable, thieving gang that bese'
him, to his "six foot realm, about the
gaantty Of land with which we are willing
to enrich every one Of our Gear brethren"
who may muster up fuffi.ient courage to
show his face among US, with whose vile
bodies We are willing and hope, in turn, to
enrich the arid plains OF the ashore, or
the bleak summit Is Of our noun tains.
But the object Of this communication, writ.
ten W; tn ut the KIN owledge Of Mr.. Phillips or
that Of any other living soul, is to call atten
ton to the fact that he has been patiently
and xaalnusly perfor ming these delicate AMI
hazardous duties withC 1T the siigh test IecCg-
milton of them. 50 far rs we are info rmed, by
those in authority. He has seen Others pro.
NOTED and commissioned, while he has pur-
sned he "syen tenor Of his way" extending
his "Reminiscences almost into the very
camp OF the enemy, undisturb6d by any feel
ing Of Jealousy or envy at the good fortune OF
his more favored compeere. And though he
mas largely shared the misfortune Of his ILL
fatsd county, having, like Francis at Pavia,
lost Everything, rave homer" without any
pr, spect Of remuneration, he is none the less
JEALOUS and daring than when, led by the
same adventure us spirit, he chased the bu +.
lalo or the Indian over the wilds Of the Rocky
mountains, before search for gold had ex-
picred its passes or tbs pathfinder had
bfen heard of; and, seemingly Indifferent to
mat most delightful incense the breath OF
popular applause, he Is content, provided
Only he can do his part {aDd he IL doing 1t
manfalIyl towards Kidding the Peninsula of
the foui incubus that has crashed out tts
prosperity.
The future historian OF this unholy strug-
g'e on the part OF our adversary, for con.
quest and plumber will embeliish his nara.
ave with episodes drawn from incidents in
Inc career OF this remarkable man, who will
Vie with Francisco In the thoughts, and
r.sal him in the affections Of the rising gene
tauon. Bright eyes Will sparkle, generous
oosoms will glow, and youthful ambition
VIII be kindled when that record is read,
anu IL VIII be poi nted to IS living Tefuta
..on Of the sheer that Virginia has /" lost
she ofesd OF noble bloods," or that the Com
mon wealth OF 1851 is less worthy CT lees
Colony OF 1873.
We would respectfully suggest to tina War
department. OF the Confederate States that
tneee things be inquired into. and tn AZ
MODEST merit ana unpr eten ding service he in
some way, suitably rscogni lied. lest his fats
De pointed TO as 4 confirmation of tbs a win .
'aa' Republics are unxratsful.,'
Jus7IcA.