The Forgotten Soldiers of the First Washington

The Star has been requested by the Fortson Relief Corps to present to the people the contents of a number of letters recently received from officers and privates in the First Washington volunteer regiment. These letters tend to show that there is a feeling among the men that they have been left poorly cared for by their state. The writers declare that when the boys left Washington for Manila by way of San Francisco, they received scant attention, and no effort was made by the state to provide funds to ensure their comfort by sending money for extra delicacies, while the soldiers of other states were bountifully provided for the needs of the volunteers. A letter under date of June 6, by an officer in the regiment, was sent to the Star. In it, the officer claims that the Washington volunteers in Manila are left alone and obliged to subsist on straight army rations, while the soldiers from other volunteer regiments are well cared for through contributions from the people of their several states. The statement is further made that the volunteers voted to be transferred out at San Francisco solely because the people of that city had shown them more kindness when the regiment was camped there. The ladies of the Fortson Relief Corps, who have brought the matter to the Star, state their belief that the faults of common complaints of neglect by the volunteers will soon be remedied and that as soon as the people have thoroughly understood the matter, they will be eager to make amends for apparent unthankfulness. Active steps will be taken to raise funds as quickly as possible.