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.
A portion of Company J, 1st Washington Volunteer Infantry
To visit the website bibliography, click
here. To visit the website video bibliography, click
here
