Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-05-15
SAVED BY A SPOON.
The Remarkable Story Told by Mr.. Charles
II. Epp-, of Richmond, Va.

charleston News and Courier, May 5th)
Mr.. Charles ii. Epps. Of Richmond. Va
is making a short visit to Charleston 10
renew old memories and recall events OF
thirty years ago. Thirty years Is long
time between visits. but the friends MI
Epps has made already in this last can
hope that he Will not wait thirty more
years before calling again.
81 owe my life to Charleston said MT.
Ems IN a renortor for the News and Cou-
rier last night at the 81. Charles Hotter,
land | just came down 10 ste ''c o'.'
Mace again and find II possible. the owner
~ y tablespoon that took from the table
Of the Charleston Hotel in November. lS'S.
This IL the SPOON" he continued. and ex-
hibited a silver tablespoon OF The usual
size The handle showed a deep dent, ana
AIR Ems took battered mimic ban
from his pocket and fitted 1t in the de-
nresslon. on the back OF the handle APP
near the words, ID. Mixer. Charleston
Hotel" and on the face is scratched. evil
IDENTIFY with "A knife, the word, "Epps.
The bowl Is much worn on one SIDE ana
somewhat bent.
1T was In September, 1861 that my COM
many. the Richmond Light Infantry blues.
was ordered to Charleston. We camper
IN at Wappo and there was little OF in
terest 70 relate OF the first few months.
One day in November a comrade ana
got leave to go to the city. We got over
all right and after looking around Tor
awhile went out to Magnolia Cemetery.
Coming in about 4 o'clock we decided 10
treat ourselves to a great dinner III the
Charleston Hotel to vary the monotony
OF camp fare. We knew II was gong
TO cost us something. and in order 10 Try
best TO enjoy 1t we ascertained the latest
hour at which we could get dinner IL
was stated at s o'clock. and as that was
some time away we went GOWN u '"c
Market and sat on the steps Settiis our
Atrocities UP until nearly >.
"When we get to dinner l remember
that somehow we had lost our appetites'
hut the landlord had not forgotten MS
rates and we had to give up $40 Tor the
pair Of us. Just before we left the table
n colored waiter put a sugar-bowl near
me. I'm II was a tablespoon, and BlNlhb
my comrade the wink I quietly approprl-
ated that spoon. We laughed over IL OUT
side and the spoon was put INTO acINo
service as soon as camp was reacheu' LOU
can see how the edge is worn. that ~
from scrapng hominy OUT or iron pots.
We'll. a few months after That we were
ordered to Virginia, and on March ~
1861. our corps was engaged at the Dattie
of Uatcher's Run, near petersburg. MY
company was IN at the front, ana carry
In the fight ! was shot ana ieit ior uedu
on the field. The Federals found me that
night alive. and l was taken to their nos
nital near by and cared for by DR..
I,aurin. Of Kingston, y. 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
Whora Tho rockets ar IN = military cpat.
and the handle was sticking up. The bull
let was well aimed. and could not nave
missed my heart. but the spoon-handle
turned Il sideways and down, and II
struck across, nearly coming out nj the
back on the other side. The second day
after that battle, while | was lying in
the Federal hospital, Abraham Lincoln
visited the camp.
Passing through the hospital his at
tention was called to me and he shook
hands with me- and said he hoped l
would soon be well enough to so back
TO my parents. You see | was only q,
and looked but lad. | got well pretty
quick was exchanged, and went back To
my command. l have lived In Richmond
ever since and served twenty-four years
az captain of the police. ] nave just been
reelected for the third term as city Ser
geant. an office which l understand Is
the same as your sheriff.
zone of my principal reasons for COM
ing to Charlie stOn Is 10 find some one who
was connected with the Charleston Hotel
in 1863 and bring this spoon. / want to
really own 1t, and you can guess l
wouldn't part with 1t for trfe. Now,
If there are any Of the heirs OF ID. Mixer
In or about Charleston. ! would be very
glad 10 hear from them"
Mr.. Epps. who is accompanied by an
old war comrade. Mr.. Andrew Krause.
also of Richmond, went up to Wappo yes
terday and visited the old camp-ground.
They will go to Adams Run. James
Island. and other points before leaving
for bnrna