Jersey City and Its Historic SitesEaton, Harriet Phillips
History
Jersey City and Its Historic Sites
Eaton, Harriet Phillips
Jersey City (N.J.) -- History
Although Jersey City has been so well represented in the volunteer
army, there are but three Jersey City men in the regular army; Captain
J. B. Vreeland, now retired, but serving as Quartermaster in the war
with Spain, and George B. Arrowsmith and John J. Toffey, Jr., who have
been appointed Second Lieutenants during the present summer. The late
Major Gaines was in the regular army and served during the Mexican War.
He organized a regiment during the Civil War. For a great many years
he was connected with the Surveyors' Department of the New York Custom
House, and was the delegate appointed by the United States at the Paris
International Conference to bring about a uniform system of measuring
the tonnage of vessels. He was also prominent in procuring increased
cubic space for steerage passengers.
NAVY.
Mr. William Knickerbocker Van Reypen entered the service as Assistant
Surgeon December 26th, 1861. Having been promoted through the various
grades, he now holds the position of Surgeon General of the Navy.
Of good Dutch lineage on both sides of the house, he is proving his
sterling inheritances by the masterly manner in which he is meeting
the terrible responsibilities of his position in providing for all
emergencies in the Medical Department of the Navy in this war with
Spain. To Surgeon General Van Reypen the world is indebted for the
Hospital Ship in war. At the International Medical Congress, held in
Moscow in 1896, he presented the plan which was carried out by the
United States Government in fitting out the Solace and Relief during
the present summer, which were the first ever used. A most valuable
addition to a fleet in war, not only in the relief afforded to the
sick and wounded, but in rendering the ships more efficient by leaving
them with fighting men only, unhampered by the sick and disabled.
There is so little space on board men-of-war which can be utilized for
hospital purposes that the chances of recovery for the wounded are
largely increased. Civilian doctors who have visited the Solace are
enthusiastic over the perfection of its arrangements for the sick and
wounded. It is a marvel that a ship not built for the purpose could be
so well adapted to hospital needs. Jersey City may well be proud of
Surgeon General Van Reypen.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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