The Unsung Heroes of Seattle’s Great Fire

The duty of remaining here to hold the city until a more permanent arrangement could be made was one of the most arduous tasks assigned to the military organization. It demanded courage of an order that few would care to stand through—the dark hours of the night in the midst of an utter silence, surrounded by blackness and misshapen ruins. If anybody thinks that this is as easy a task as could be desired, it is because he has had no experience in Seattle now. The men of the First regiment did their duty in every particular. There were no complaints. Though the term of active service was longer than what has been expected of militiamen at any other time since the war, the organization was in no way demoralized. Regular army officers who have visited the Armory while the militia were on duty freely declare that they believe the First regiment to be as reliable, effective, and well-organized a militia regiment as there is in the United States, and in this judgment, all citizens who have observed the service rendered here since the fire will most heartily agree. The people of Washington should be proud to possess a regiment which, like the First, has shown itself to be ready for any service, however disagreeable, which has shown itself to be disciplined, reliable, and which, above all, has shown itself to be a regiment of gentlemen.