Trench and camp. ([Admiral, Md.) 1917-1919, 1919-01-02
HAS THIRTY WOUNDS,
BUT STILL SMILES
Private Markham Lost Teeth, Too.
But Spirit Was Not
Broken.

Private James II. Markham of the
10th Infantry. although but twenty-
Ave years of age. holds a record OF
which any one might we'll be proud
One would not think to see him walk
ing around the base hospital; groundss
with his left arm in sling. that be-
hind that smile lies a history that WIZ
go down in the annals of the great
world war. Q
On May q. 1918. Private Markham
was called to the colors at Boydtons
Mecklinburg county. Va. and sent 70
Camp Lee. Here he was placed In the
155th Depot Brigade. being schooled
in the culinary art. later serving IN
the capacity of cook. After o brief
stay in this camp of but seven WEEKS
five of which were under quaranttues
he sailed on July II for France. land-
was temporarily assigned to Camp
Lemonds, later being sent to the
training camp Eckmore.
Practically all the training he ever
had was received in this camp. which
comprised squad. bayonet and gas
practice before going to the front
they had to build a rife range about &
five miles from camp.
Forty-Six in Car.
When they received orders to move
to the front, they were loaded into
box cars. forty-six men to a car. on
which they travelled two days and
nights. Finally arriving at their deg-
tination, they were unloaded and
started on a seventy -kilometer
hike, where they were sent to join
the 28th Division. 10th Infantry.
Here he was assigned as second guns
man in the automatic squad and inn
mediately placed in action. and for
the next four days saw some Of the
hardest battles that were fought at
Verdun. On September 20 he was se-S
verely wounded by a German shell
After being hit. he walked 100 yartiS,
where he was given first aid by his
comrades from his first aid kit. After
being relieved as much as possible,
under the conditions, he was taken to
the 10th first aid station. where his
wounds were temporarily dressed.
Thence he was conveyed by ambu-
lance to Evacuation Hospital No. 1OSs
where, at IL o'clock that night he was
operated on. 1t was here that they
discovered that he had received thirty
shrapnel wounds. in addition to lOg-
ing practically all his teeth on the
right side. Staying there for four
UdyS 70 pcTIHIL Min 10 get OVSE eU0
effects of the operation. he was re-
moved to Base Hospital No. 6S. This
trip was made on frog train" and
consumed thirty-six hours. After re-
naming there three weeks he was
again removed. this time to Base Hos
pital No. 50. where his stay was but o.
week, after which he was transferred
to Base Hospital No. IS.
Private Markham states that during
the time that he was in action he had
but three warm meals, their progress
being so fast that the company'a
kitchen could not keep UP with them.
Praise for Nurses and Doctors.
Private Markham is very strong in
his praise OF the treatment he recefv-
ed from the doctors and nurses, both
on the other side and on the boat COM
ing over. This comment should be
very gratifying to Camp Meade men,
particularly from the fact that Base
Hospital No. SO trained several months
in this camp before it's departure for
the war zone.
At one time during his stay IL
Verdun four shells fell within two
feet Of him, killing two of their men,
but he was fortunate this time in es-
Gaping.
One of the most horrifying sights
he saw during his service was the
burning of four American tanks.
which had been shelled by the Ger
mans Men who had been caught like
rats and unable to escape were burn
ed to a crisp and charred beyond rec
ognition.
or the number of wounds that Pri-
vate Markham received, the one that
has given him the most trouble and
pain is compound fracture Of the
left wrist, which, although healing
nicely, will never knit sufficiently to
permit the right use of it, due to the
removal of number of small bones.
AS soon as his physical condition
viii permit he will occupy Consider
able time in the dentists chair while
an endeavor is made to repair the
damage done to his teeth
Private Markham has not vet had
the opportunity to visit his home
since me left, May 81, but he hoped "a
be able to eat his Christmas dinner
with his family, which has Increased
since he last saw them by the arrival
OF young son November 81.
II you missed the lecture of Judge
Terrell you missed a treat.
Come to the hut every night, fellowsf