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| 223 of three crippled fingers on the left hand, resulting from a wound received during the Civil War in 1862. But, as Major Crampton explained, the regulations issued to the medical officers for their guidance in the examination of volunteers, directed them to refuse all officers over 45 years of age, who were not physically sound in all their limbs. Major Crampton explained, however, to Colonel Mar-koe, that this technical physical disability could be removed by an application to the Secretary of War, endorsed by the brigade commander and the adjutant-general of the State. Acting upon the suggestion of Major Crampton, Colonel Markoe addressed the following letter to the Adjutant-General of Maryland: CAMP WILMER, PIMLICO, MD., May 10, 1898. To THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL, STATE OF MARYLAND. SIR:—I have the honor to state that, on the 7th inst., the Adjutant-General of the First Brigade notified me by letter that I had not passed the physical examination necessary_ for service in the United States Volunteers. I saw Major Crampton, the United States Surgeon, and he informed me that I was turned down only on account of my wounded left hand. He told me that the Secretary of War could waiye this technical defect in my case; officers of the United States Army also informed me that this was frequently done. I know that 1 am physically competent to take my regiment into active service. I served as a staff officer for nearly three years during the late war, and have ridden several thousand miles since my hand was wounded, and for ten years I have served as a mounted officer with my regiment. I earnestly request that you will ask the Secretary of War to instruct the enrolling officer to waive my technical defect and muster me into the service of the United States. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, FRANK MARKOE, Colonel. Upon this letter the brigade commander, General Riggs, made the following endorsement: HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE, M. N. G., CAMP WILMER, May 10, 1898. Respectfully forwarded disapproved. The examining surgeon found Colonel Frank Markoe physically disqualified for service. I feel that to ask that the findings of the board be set aside would be questioning the integrity or efficiency of the board. LAWRASON RIGGS, Brigadier-General. Adjutant-General Wilmer did not forward to the Adjutant-General of the United States Army the letter of Colonel Markoe, but instead issued'the following order: |