The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-04-17

trouble with rheumatism ana wound
received during the war, he had up TO
the time Of his last injury always been
able 10 attend TO his duties. His cOndi-
tion had been regarded as serious during
the whole Of this year but some hopes
were entertained for his recovery mp TO
the las, few weeks.
SKETCH OF HIS LIFE
Captain Charles H. Epps was born in
Richmond on the 18th Of December. l>il
lie served his apprenticeship as a black
smith under his father, Mr.. T. G. Epps.
and worked at his trade until the break
ing out Of hostllities in 1861. lie enlist
ed in the Richmond Light Infantry Blues
and left the city with that command on
April 2l 1861 and returned home June 10.
1860 lie was made color bearer Of the
Forty-sixth Regiment. While acting in
this capacity, he was wounded on March
@. 1860. at Burgess Mil near Hatchers
Run i'm the fighting around Petersburg.
and left on the field for dead.
While he was dangerously wounded he
doubtless owed his life TO a silver spoon
which was in his vest pocket over the
heart and DETECTED the bullet. IL pass
ed almost entirely through his body how
ever and was afterwards extracted from
his back The spoon which saved Cap
tain Epps life was connscated by him at
the Charleston Hotel I'm Charleston, s.
c.. i'm 1863. 10 bears the inscription on
its handle ID. Mixer, Charleston Hotel
and was treasured by Capt. Epps during
the remainder Of his life.
Young Epps was taken prisoner ana
carried to City Point. on April lst, Pres
ldent Lincoln was inspecting the hospital
when Or. Langhorn. the surgeon In
charge. called MS attention 10 Mr.. Epps
as the only wounded Confederate. Presi-
dent Lincoln then went TO his bedside and
in taking him by the hand said he hoped
that he would soon become well and re-
turn home TO his parents. He soon after
wards did return home and started in the
blacksmith business on Cary street near
Eighth.
CAPTAIN OF POLICE.
lie finally gave up this business, when
the city was turned over TO the provision
al Mayor Hon. d. j. Saunders. who rec
ommended him for the position Of captain
Of the police force lie was elected 10
that position on December s. 1865. and
served in that capacity until he was re-
qulred 10 take the lron-clad oath. which
he declined Consequently be had 10
give up his position on March II. 1869.
I'm March. 1870. he was reelected captain
and serving through all Of that moment
Gus time Of the Cahoon and Ellyson night.
lie had charge Of the police force In the
fight at Brook avenue. Jefferson street.
Broad street and around the Ola Market:
one of the policemen was killed. At that
time there we're ten police captains on
duty. but shortly afterwards the city
Council reduced their number 10 three.
on the memorable morning oC the Capi-
tol disaster, Captain Epps was one Of the
hundreds who were gathered IN the Su-
preme Courtroom 10 hear the decision
In the Cahoon- Elyson fight. lie was in
iured In the general wreck, but not se-
riously.
ELECTED CITY SERGEANT.
After the restoration Of peace Captain
Epps was continued in office. and held
the position until July l. 1880, when he
was elected City Sergeant His admins
tration was OF such a highly satisfactory
character that he was retained IN office
by the voters OF Richmond up 20 the
day of his death. Strong candidates en-
tered the race. and made Herculean ef-
forts 10 defeat him, but he held a place
in the estimation OF the people. from
which II was Impossible to dislodge him.
HIS FAMILY.
Captain Epps was twice married his
first wife being Miss Lindsay of this city.
Five children were born to them-Clai-
borne. Charles John. Bayliss. and Miss
Florence. all of whom survive. with his
second wife. who was a Miss Airport. Of
Caroline county. No children resulted
from this marriage. Captain Epps also
leaves three sisters-Mrs. Elizabeth Wing
field of Washington. and Mesdames An
nie Derbyshire and Laura CarncaI. of
this city. and i've brothers Sergeant
George w. Epps. Of the First District Po-