The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-07-07
COLONEL SMITH CHOSEN.
Governor Voorhees, Makes
Him Commandant Of the
Fourth Volunteers.
SKETCH OF HIS MILITARY CAREER.
Captain Gerardin Made Ad-
jutant and DR.. Broderick
Assistant Surgeon.

0uioHel ROBERT IL smith Oh Inc rpuFtH
Regiment National Guard received word
from Governor Voorhees, this noon that
he had been appointed 10 the command
of the new regiment OF volunteers, which
is to be designated the Fourth New Jer-
sey. Word was also received from Gov
ernor Voorhees, that Captain and Adju-
tant Gerardin of the Fourth Regiment
had been appointed Adjutant Of the
Fourth Volunteers. The news was re-
ceived with Joy by the officers and men
of the Fourth Regiment National Guard,
who were gathered at the Armory.
On top of it came the additional news
that DR.. John ]. Broderick had passed
his examinations successfully and had
been sworn in at Sea Girt as Assistant
Surgeon of the regiment DR.. Broderick
telegraphed that he would be at the Ar-
mory tonight to examine recruits. Col.
Smith telephoned to the Armory that the
line appointments would be made known
this evening.
Robert e. Smith, who has been appoin.-
ed Colonel of the Fourth New Jersey
Regiment, United States Volunteer Army,
lives at No. 3o2 Barrow street, this city.
and IS employed as Superintendent Of
the Gunard Line Dock in New York. Fe
enlisted iii the Fourth Regiment m Com
pany e as a private under Captain now
Brigadier General Peter Farmer Wanset,
on September 5, 1877. He served six years
and was honorably discharged on Sep
teynber 26, 1883.
He re-enlisted a few months later and on
November 49, 1884, was elected second lieu.
tenant of the company. In September,
1885. he was elected first lieutenant. On
September TO- 1886, Colonel Samuel D..
Dickinson appointed Lieutenant Smith
First Lieutenant of the Gun Detachment.
He resigned this position on September S,
1887, the tenth anniversary of his first en-
listment. On January 49, 1885, Lieutenant
Smith was elected Captain OF Company u,
which position he held until he was
elected Major ON June 20, 1892
The retirement of Colonel Hugh H. Abb
ernethy a little over year ago and the
election Of Lieutenant Colonel Mason to
succeed him advanced Major Smith to
the rank of Lieutenant Colonel Under
the agreement under which Colonel Ma
son resigned and was breveted Brigadier
General, Lieutenant Colonel Smith was
elected Colonel of the Fourth Regiment.
He was sworn in and took command of
the regiment while it was in camp at
Sea Girt on July Is, 1897.
Add Colonel Smiths appointment.
Captain and Adjutant Benjamin Ger
ardin enlisted as a private in Company E.
on February II, 1879, and was made SER
geant ON December l. 1879. He was made
Second iLuetenant of his company on
July 3o 1884. On October /, of the same
year he was appointed Adjutant of the
Regiment by Colonel Dudley S. Steele,
and was given the rank of First Lieuten-
ant.
After serving five years as adjutan1 he
was promoted to the rank of Captain.
He continued as adjutant of the regiment
until May 81, 1892 when the First Bri-
gade was reorganized and he was retired.
He was reappointed the following day
by Colonel Abernethy and has faithfully
performed the duties of the office ever
since
Since the new Armory has been built
he has received salary from the regi-
ment and has devoted all his time to Its
affairs. Through his efforts the Fourth
Regiment has the most complete set OF
records of any regiment in the State and
it also has the finest military library
Adjutant Gerardin has served as Adju-
tant under Colonels Steele Dickinson,
Wanser, Abernethy, Mason and Smith
DR.. John ]. Broderick enlisted as a
private in the State Hospital and Ambll-
lance Corps on April /, 1898. On June y,
1898. Colonel Abernethy appointed MIN
Assistant Sugeen of the Fourth Regiment
with the rank of First LIEUTENANT He
has served as Assistant Surgeon ever
since On June q. of the present year,
he was promoted to the rank OF Captaln
Dr. Broderick Is surgeon to the Central
Railroad Of New Jersey. He Is member
of the Carteret Club, the Jersey Clty
GLIB the Union League Club and the
Military Service Institution.