Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/920

860 with the enemy, in which he participated, were those at Cottage Mills, Cotton Hill, Halifax Ferry, Frayser's Farm, Malvern Hill, James Island, S. C., and the fighting from Petersburg to Appomattox. In an engagement at Hatcher's Run, March 29, 1865, at the outset of the final struggle between the armies in Virginia, he was wounded and left for dead on the field. When wounded he was in the act of loading a gun. The ball entered his left breast, striking a silver spoon, which changed its course, thereby saving his life. Falling into the hands of the Federals, he was taken to City Point, where, on April 1st, he saw and shook hands with President Lincoln. Lieutenant Epps was paroled in June, 1865, and resumed his residence at Richmond. On December 8, 1865, he was appointed, by the council, captain of police, as which he served until 1869, when he was removed by the military authorities for refusal to take the "ironclad oath." When home rule was restored, in 1870, he was reappointed captain for meritorious conduct during the conflict for control of the city, in which he took a prominent part in the support of Mayor Ellyson, forcing the surrender of First police station by the Cahoon faction. He continued as captain of police until 1890, when he was elected city sergeant, a position he continued to hold until his death, April 16, 1897, with many manifestations of the public favor and approval. He was a member of the Odd Fellows, Masonic, Pythian and other orders, and one of the most companionable and sympathetic of men, as well as firm and undaunted in the discharge of duty.

Major William H. Etheredge, a gallant soldier, who led into the service one of the first of the volunteer companies of southeastern Virginia, was born in Norfolk county, July 27, 1820. He is the son of Henry Etheredge, a native of the same county, as was also the grandfather, Henry Etheredge. The family is of Scotch descent, but has long been associated with the worthiest interests of this Virginia county. The junior Henry Etheredge was a farmer by occupation, served in the war of 1812 and married Martha Butt, of Norfolk county, who survived until June 20, 1870, at the age of seventy-seven years. The father, however, died when his son William was five years old, and the latter was reared by his mother. At the age of nine she took him to Norfolk, where they resided until he had reached the age of twenty-one. Meanwhile he was well educated in the private schools at Norfolk conducted by William S. Davis and Dr. David Duncan, father of Bishop W. W. Duncan, of South Carolina. He also, beginning in 1836, learned the craft of a blacksmith, and, after his apprenticeship was completed, he returned to his native neighborhood and there followed his trade until the outbreak of the war. In 1849 he made his home upon the farm, seven miles south of Norfolk, which he still occupies, and engaged in agriculture in addition to his other work. He prospered in these industries, and, becoming well known throughout the county as a man of remarkable physical strength, personal courage and intelligence, he was elected, in 1860, captain of a newly organized military company, called the Norfolk County Rifle Patriots, the members of which were gathered from the region between Berkley and Great Bridge. Upon the burning of the navy yard Captain Etheredge offered the