Jersey City and Its Historic SitesEaton, Harriet Phillips
History
Jersey City and Its Historic Sites
Eaton, Harriet Phillips
Jersey City (N.J.) -- History
There was much opposition to Company A by the officers of the old
Hudson Brigade, of which there was not left a single uniformed and
equipped company. Through the efforts of Mr. Rogers a committee was
appointed to draw up a law to conform with the National Guard Act
passed by Congress. General Runyon, Colonel Plume and Colonel Rogers
were the committee. After much opposition the Legislature passed
the law and Governor Randolph signed the act March 9th, 1869. Other
companies were formed: Company B, by Captain Bullard; Company C, by
Captains McLaughlin and Murphy; Company D, by Lieutenant J. J. Toffey;
Company E, by Captain Henry G. Shaw; Company F, by Captain John B.
Randolph. General orders were issued creating the six companies into
the 4th Regiment, N. J. Rifle Corps, with Colonel William E. Rogers,
Lieutenant Colonel C. G. Van Reyper, Major William B. Shafer. By a
general order issued by Adjutant General W. S. Stryker on April 14th,
1869, these six companies and Company G of the Second Regiment, N. J.
State Militia, were assigned to the Fourth Regiment, First Brigade.
Colonel Rogers was appointed Inspector General on the Staff of General
Runyon, and for more than a year was constantly occupied in securing
compliance throughout the state with the National Guard Act. The
regiment gave an inaugural concert and hop at Kepler's Hall (now the
Academy of Music) on the evening of May 12th, 1869--"one of the most
brilliant events in the history of the city up to that time." For
twenty-five years their armory was at 25 and 27 Newark avenue. The new
armory in Bergen avenue was completed in February, 1895. The regiment
has served honorably on several occasions in suppressing riots, both at
home and in other states; it has joined in numerous parades, and has
acted as Guard of Honor at the funerals of several notables. At the
State Camp its members have nearly all qualified as marksmen at the
state rifle ranges. One of its early officers, Lieutenant Colonel Shaw,
was the author of the competitive system of rifle shooting as practiced
in the United States. He was instrumental in starting the Creedmoor
Range, which was known for years as the American Wimbledon, but has
since been surpassed by the New Jersey State Range in the variety of
ranges for different shooting.
NAVAL MILITIA.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account