Hide Article Text (OCR)
Its Work in the Philippines. The following is taken from the “American,” of Manila, Philippine, Islands, issue of July 2nd. If it were merely the purpose of this article to state tersely and succinctly the story of the Washington regiment, it could be easily done with one word, —success— and thus be conservative of verbige and space. While this might be a literal one word history,it would hardly ‘serve the ends of The American or the desires of its readers, who are accustomed ‘to have their news pleasantly ‘and entertainingly told. When the curtain shall have been rung down for the last time upon the Filippino tragedy drama and the last word shall have been said, it will be remembered that the Washington troops had much to do with making the settings perfect and the action complete. Broad, strong and rugged as the trees of the Evergreen State from which they have come, the people of the commonwealth which border upon beautiful Puget Sound should be very proud of the men they sent forth to battle for the flag. It is neither dis paragement nor comparison of other regiments to say that the Spanish- American Filipino war was produced no better soldiers than those whose names are to be found in the personel of the Washington regiment. In one respect—or rather in two— its record has been unique. Assem bled at Camp Rogers, in Washington fully equipped for the field on the day Admiral Dewey fought and breakfasted in Manila bay, the three battalions were sent to active duty as rapidly as they were mustered in. The first battalion commanded by Lieutenant, Colonel Fife was sent immediatly to San Francisco, following the Oregon regiment within a few hours. Several days later, the 2nd battalion came, with Maj. Carr,.Shortly after that, Major Carr and the 2nd battalion gar isoned Angel Island, Lieutenant Col onel Fife commanding the post. Maj. Weisenburger and the 1st bat talion was sent to the Presidio, while Colonel Whalley, staff and the 3rd batallion, proceeded directly to Van couver Baracks, of which post Colonel Wholley assumed command. Some time in July, the 3rd battalion joined the 1st battalion at the Presidio, and assisted in the garrison duties there until the long looked for and joyfully received orders came in October to be come a part of the Philippine expe dition under Brigadier General King, than whom there was never finer sol dier’ nor kindlier man. ‘ Arrived in Manila, the regiment was at once as signed to the outpost, so that it has practically been in actual service for more than 14 months. There has not been a day since its arrival that it has not been at the ex treme front of the line, and there has not been a day since the 4th of Feb ruary that it has not been exposed to the attacks and fire of the enemy. When the Nebraska boys started the ‘bonfire at Santa mesa on the evening of Febuary 4th a detachment of the regiment was holding Blockhouse No. 11. After that, the entire regiment was deployed to the right and left of the blockhouse it is not the province of this article to describe the battle, nor the part the Washington boys took in it, for that would require a more facile, agile, pen than the one writing this, but that they were “in it and up against it” is amply attested by the two facts than the battle is officially known by the name of the suburb which was captured by them, that morning, and that their killed and wounded list was heavier than that of any other other regiment in the fight. Moved immediately into the trenches San Pedro Macati after the Santa Ana battle, the regiment has always gone with the advance. It has been a part of every action and every movement that has taken place upon the South line since the first shot was fired. It has garrisoned Paco, Santa Ang, San Pedro Macati (in the trenches) Fort son, Barracks (on the river, entery and fever; and Captain Forteon, who died as a soldier should die, at the front of his men in action. It has taken a prominent part in more than 35 battles and skirmishes, chief among them being Santa Ana, Paco shurch San Pedro, Macati, Taguig, Pateros, Pasig, Cainta, Tay-Tay, Morong, Santa Cruz, Guadalupe, etc. This, in brief, is the story of a regi ment, that has caused one general of ficer to declare that it was more large ly instrumental in winning: for him his two stars than any other agency, and another one to say that he never saw troops,regular or volunteer, that he would rather have in his command. Since March 20th, it has held...the South line at Taguig and Pasig, being the extreme outposts of the First Divi sion.Constant watchfulness and wakefulness, together with climate conditions, has caused a large sick re port, but the old spirit that caused the members of the regiment to‘charge the knoll at Santa Ana and canoe across the river in the face of heavy fire at Pateros is still present, and any insur gents who are spoiling for a fight, can always get all they want by attacking the Washington boys.With 14 months constant service to their cred it, they are proud of themselves and we doff our hats to them. Following is the death record : Killed in Action. 2 022... 200.. Died from Wounds in Action... 4 Accidental, Death. ...... .2..2, ‘A Corporation with 2 Soul.” It has been customary for more than a half century, to talk About “soulless corporations,” and indeed, the appellation has been so fittingly made that its propriety has scarcely been questioned—but there has risen up at the end of the nineteenth cen tury a remarkable exception to this ancient adage, and that exception is to be found in the Pennsylvania Rail road Company, which has taken a step which will go a long way towards pro ducing permanent industrial peace be tween that corporation and its em ployes. This company has established a sys tem of “retirement and pensions,” based entirely upon its own earnings, to be applied to its employes accord ing to “service and merit, and the system, when ,once in operation will cost the Pennsylvania road more than $300,000 per annum. Commenting upon this advanced step by this great corporation, the New York Journal says: “Every employe who has served for thirty years, or who — has reached the age of seventy, is to be retired jon a pension, the allowances to be based upon length of service and the average wages received by the pensioner dur ing his working career. “The cost of this arrangement to the Pennsylvania Railroad ™ will ‘be trifling in comparison with the bene fits, the corporation will receive from the plan. If the scheme ‘is carried out in good faith, every employer will gain interest in his work. His posi tion will become a property, like an insurance policy; which will ‘increase in value from year to year. The com pany will be insured against frivolous strikes. It will know that nothing except..serious grievances can induce the men to risk their places, and if a strike is threatened it will know that some substantial wrong has been com mitted which ought to be redressed. _“On their side the men will have a sense of security that is seldom felt’in this era of unbridled competition, on the principle of every one for himself. They, will feel reasonably certain of holding their places “as long as they are able to work, and of —. seen age afterward.” THE salmon pack of the canneries on Bellingham bay will this year be worth a million and half dollars. With ‘the pack ‘at ‘other points on the ‘Sound, the fishing industry of Washington will produce several million dollars to the’ pattie. ‘Aside from the profits to the companies and to cost of the tin, this amount is disturbed for labor. No industry*of the state is growing ‘more rapidl y; or is Seems more profitable. 10, the people of Total ate Hee fe ee ea 35 Wounded we eel ee ee ee ee 111 Total Wounded. and Died 146
Newspaper Details
Shelton Mason County Journal
Shelton, Washington, US
Fri, Aug 18, 1899
Page 1
Full Page
Clipped by
Kellan R.
USA 29 Jul 2026
Other Publications Near Shelton, Washington
Shelton Mason County Journal
