The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-05-30
9naersutt gatelligeHter.
Saved by q Spoon.

Mr.. Charles H. Epps, of Richmond,
Va, is making a short visit to
Charleston to renew old memories and
recall events of thirty years ago.
Thirty years is long. time between
visits, but the friends of Mr.. Epps
has made already in this last call
hope that he will not wait thirty years
more before calling again.
"I owe my life to Charleston, said
Mr.. Epps to a reporter to the Ne,cs
and Courier last night at the St.
Charles hotel, 'and just came down
to see the old place again and find, if
possible, the owner Of tablespoon
that took from the table Of the
Charleston Hotel in November, 1868.
This is the spoon" he continued, and
exhibited silver tablespoon of the
usual size. The handle showed a
deep dent, and Mr.. Epps took bat
tered minnie ball from his pocket and
fitted it in the depression. On the
hack of the handle appear the words,
cd. Mixer, Charleston Hotel" and
on the face is scratched, evidently with
knife, the word, "Epps.'" The bowl
is much worn on one side and somewhat
bent.
cit was in September, 1863, that
my company, the Richmond Light In
fantry Blues, was ordered to Charles
ton. We camped up at Wappo, and
there was. very little Of interest to re-
late Of the first three months. One
day in November comrade and [ got
leave to 60 to the city. We got over
all right and after looking around for
awhile went out to Magnolia Gene
terry. Coming in about 4 o'clock we
decided to treat ourselves to great
dinner at the Charleston Hotelto vary
the monotony Of the camp fare. We
knew it was going to cost us some-
thing, and in order to try best to en-
Joy it we ascertained the latest hour
at which we could get dinner. 1t was
stated at 5 o'clock, and as that was
some time away we went down to the
Market and sat on tho steps, getting
our appetites up until nearly 5 o clock.
"When we did get to dinner re-
member that somehow we had lost
our appetites, but the landlord had not
forgotten his rates, and we had to
give up ten dollars for the pair Of us.
Just before we left the table colored
waiter put sugar bowl near me; I'M
was a tablespoon, and giving my COM
rade the wink [ quietly appropriated
that spoon. We laughed over it out
side and the spoon was put into. active
service as soon as camp was reached.
You can see how the edge is worn,
that is from scraping hominy out Of
iron pots. Well, a few months after
that we were ordered to Virginia. and
on March 29, 1864, our corps was en-
gagged at the battle Of Hatchers Run,
near Petersburg. My company was
in at the front, and ,early in the fight
I was shot and left for dead on the field.
The Federals found me that night
alive, and I was taken to their hospi-
tai near by and cared for by DR.. Lau-
rim, Of Kingston, N. Y. This bullet
was taken from my right side, having
gone through my body just above the
waist without striking any vital part.
The spoon, which you see is dented,
was in the pocket Of my coat, (you
know where the pockets are in mill
tary coat, and the handle was stick
ing up. The bullet was well aimed, ,
and could not have missed my heart,
but the spoon turned it sideways and
down, and it struck across, nearly
coming out at the back on the other
side. The second day after that bat
tie, while I was lying in the Federal
hospital, Abraham Lincoln visited the
camp.
Passing through the hospital his
attention was called TO me and shook
hands with me, and said he hoped I
would soon be well enough to so back
to my parents. You see, I was only
20, and looked but o lad. / got well
pretty quick, was exchanged, and
went back to my command. l have
l1V6Q III IllCumOuu SYSEi cAuCC3 dut
served twenty-four years as captain OF
the police. I-have just been re-elect-
|. ed the third term as city sergeant,
an Office which / understand is the
same as your sheriff.
"One Of my principal reasons for
coming to Charleston is to find some
one who was connected with the
Charleston Hotel in 1868 and bring
this spoon. I want to really own it,
and you can guess 1 wouldn't part
with it for trihe. Now, if there are
any of the heirs of D. Mixer in or about
Charleston I would beveryglad to hear
from them.
Mr.. Epps, who is accompanied by
an old war comrade, Mr.. Andrew
Krause, also of Richmond, went up
to Wappo yesterday and visited the
old campground. They will go to
Adams Run, James Island and other
points before leaving for home
A. y Ta<,.o..