The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-06-16
ABHRNEfHY OUT.
The Fourth's Colonel Resigns
Major Smith His Probable
Successor.

1t was not much of a surprise to the
officers of the Fourth Regiment when they
were notified last night of the resigna-
ton of Colonel Hugh H. Abernethy.
They have been expecting it for some
time. indeed ever since the row a year
ago, when Colonel Abernethy. in his
capacity of Police Commissioners gained
the enmity of most of his fellow officers
by giving the police precedence over the
National Guar in the Memorial Dav
parade. At that time a number of Off
GERS threatened to resign. 1t was gener-
ally believed that they only refrained
from carrying out that determination on
receiving the assurance of Colonel Aber-
nelhy that he would leave the regiment.
me resignation was made public last
night IN the following communications
Hdqrs Fourth Rgt., N. G., N. j.
To h Officers of the Fourth Regiment
Gentlemen-After a long service that
entities me to a brevet promotion, and
year ago, | am about to ~relinquish my
of this regiment. ind that
1t will be impossible for me to 20 with
you 70 camp by reason of new business
engagements, SO / have concluded to ask
10 be retired with additional rank.
IN severing my connection with the
regiment l do SO with the knowledge that
through our united efforts it has aSsumed
the proud position of second to none in
the State. -
Today we are in a financial condition
70 pc proud OF. while the personnel of the
regiment has reached that hig position
that makes US proud of our efforts to that
end, and grateful beyond measure with
the comparison now and in 1892, when we
We're IN a dlsorganized and diScouraging
condition.
The excellent condition of the regiment
insures It's future prosperity and / am
highly gratihed that I can cave it in the
hands Of such a capable Board of Off
GERS, who will see to it that the fair
name Of the Fourth is never furnished.
farr nank al my friends for their loyalty,
Ior their announcement, and for their
unself1sh and unstinted assistance in
placing the regiment where it belongs
future. 'He
Should it ever be in my power to be of
service to the regiment, you have but to
Go om imam me and I will be only too happy
AGAIN wishing you long continued pros
per1ty, | am, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,
H. H. ABERNETHY.
Colonel.
The resignation has already been for
warded to Adjutant General Stryker and
Colonel Abernethy believes that it will be
promptly accepted and that the Board of
Officers will be free to elect his successor
In the early part of July. Majors Smith
and Brensinger and Captain Bumstead
are candidates for the office. OF these If
Is conceded that Major Smith, who is
one OF the most popular men in the regi-
ment, stands the best chance of election
Colonel Abernethy gives as his reason
Tor resigning, the pressure of business
engagements. Colonel Abernethy has
been a militiaman for thirty years and
has seen twenty years of active service.
Here is his record:-Private, Company p
Fourth Regiment, Rifle Corps, April s.
1858; private, Company e. Fourth Regi,
ment, National Guard, April Il, 1869;
First Sergeant, july & 1850. Sor0oan+
Major, Fourth Regiment, October 20. 1859.
First Lieutenant, Company E, Fourth
Regiment, December %, 1869; Captain.
April q, 1873; resigned, November q. 1874:
June Is, 1875; resigned, December 8. 1875.
Major, Fourth Regiment, May %, 1885:
Lieutenant-Colonel, February 20, 1889:
Colonel, June 20, 1892.