FIRST WASHINGTON VOLUNTEER INFANTRY
Thanks to Gary Thompson
The 1st Washington Volunteer Infantry was formed in Tacoma, Washington on May 6 - 13, 1898. Initially, the unit was comprised of 46 officers and 967 enlisted men. The unit shipped out from San Francisco on October 19, 1898 and arrived in the Philippine Islands on November 22,1898 to take part in action resulting from the Philippine Insurrection.
Per the military records of Pvt. James M. Derrey, Company J, the 1st Washington initially saw combat in the area of Santa Ana on February 4-5, 1899. Later engagements found the unit in battle around Taguig May 19th, Taitai Cainta and Morong on the 4-5 of June, and near Calamba on July 26-27. In summary, the 1st Washington spent 38 days in trenches, and 204 days on the firing line. Losses to the 1st Washington from all causes included 27 officers, with 25 resigned or discharged, 1 due to disease, and 1 killed in action. Enlisted losses totaled 578, including 86 transfers, 79 discharged for disability, 2 discharged by general court martial, 344 discharged by order, 17 killed in action, 17 killed by disease, 8 who died as a result of wounds received, 1 drowning, and 24 desertions. In addition to the above losses, 5 officers and 89 enlisted men were wounded during the unit's stay in the Philippine Islands. The 1st Washington left the Philippine Islands on September 5, 1899 for San Francisco, arriving on October 9, 1899. The unit was stationed at the Presidio while awaiting discharge, where on November 1, 1899 the 1st Washington was disbanded. At that time the
unit consisted of 46 officers and 769 enlisted men.
