---

Thanks to Gary Thompson



A stereoview image of the 1st Washington Volunteer Infantry at Taguig, Philippines. Though the regiment saw action at Taguig, this image was staged for the photographer. This can be seen because of the men nonchalantly standing exposed to the enemy behind the firing line, with some looking at the camera rather than toward the enemy. Also some men are using the gunsights in a raised position indicating that they are firing at a long range, while others do not, and are aiming at short range...but yet they are firing a volley, which would have been aimed at common target. The guns being used are the Springfield "Trapdoor" rifles, which did not use smokeless powder, hence the huge cloud of smoke that would give away their position in battle. Some other interesting notes are that the man in the in the dark sack coat in the foreground is wearing two Mills belts, one atop the other, therefore having double the ammunition. Also, though only barely visible, the hat of the fourth man from the bottom of the photo behind the wall is sporting the corps badge of the Eighth Corps.

---

The First Washington Volunteer Infantry served in the Philippines, though it arrived after the fighting of the Spanish American War had ended. The unit later took part in the Philippine-American War.

The Unit History:

The 1st Washington Volunteer Infantry was organized at Ellensburg, North Yakima, Seattle, Spokane and Waitsburg, Washington, and mustered into service in Tacoma, between on May 6 and May 13, 1898. Initially, the unit was comprised of 46 officers and 967 enlisted men. Two of the regiment's three battalions were transferred to San Francisco on May 14, with the third battalion being sent to Vancouver Barracks on May 25. Subsequently, the battalion at Vancouver was ordered to San Francisco the join the other two battalions that were already there. Though the war's fighting had ended by armistice on August 13, the unit  was ordered to the Philippines. The 1st Battalion shipped out from San Francisco on October 19, 1898 as part of the Fifth Philippine Expedition aboard the transport VALENCIA. This battalion arrived in Manila on November 22. Te 2nd and 3rd Battalions followed followed, departing San Francisco aboard the  transport OHIO on  October 28. These battalions would reach Manila on November 26.

On arrival, the regiment was assigned to the Second Brigade, First Division  of the Eighth Army Corps.The Spanish American War formally ended on December 10, 1898, with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. On January 1, the regiment was reassigned from the Second Brigade to the First Brigade.

When the Philippine American War broke out on February 4, 1899, the unit rapidly became involved. The regiment initially saw combat in the area of Santa Ana on February 4-5, 1899. This was followed by actions at Guadlupe (February 14), San Pedro Macati (February 17), again at Guadalupe (February 22 and March 14), Pasig (March 26), Santa Cruz (April 9-10), Paete (April 13), Taguig (April 27, and May 19), Cainta and Taytay (June 3), Morong (June 4), Calamba (July 26, 28 and 30).

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 Philippines on September 5, 1899 for San Francisco on board the transport PENNSYLVANIA, 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.

During its term of service, the regiment lost one officer and seventeen enlisted men killed in action; five officers and eighty-nine enlisted men wounded (of which eight were mortally wounded); one officer and seventeen enlisted men died from disease; one enlisted men drowned; and twenty-four enlisted men deserted the regiment.