The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-03-18
TIE SITUATION AT MIDNIGHT.

THE SITUATION AT MIDNIGHT.
On Wednesday night when ex-Mayor
Chahoon heard the news Of the organiza-
ton of the City Council and the election of
Mr.. H. X. Ellyron to the Mayoraity orders
were sent from his headquarters to the seve-
raj police stations to the effect that the otil-
| GERS in command we're not to surrender
| them under any circumstance, and that
! the members OF the force were to obey only
orders issued by Mr.. Chahoon or Colonel
Egbert, the late Chief of Police. Mayor
Ellyson and Major Poe were at once notified
of these signs of resistance, and agreed to
make a formal demand for transfer of
the city property held By the retiring off,
GERS.
TIE OFFICERS DEF1ED.
Accordingly, ut c o'clock yesterday morn
ing Major Poe, the Chief of Police, went to
Police Headquarters, at the Old Market
station. to assume command. Captain Par
ker, who had charge, refused to turn over
the station to the Chief. He was backed
by Captain Callahan, who was also present,
in the denial of lor Poc's authority, and
both asserted that they would obey Cha
hooll's orders until his successor was elected
w the people.
Without further word. with these under
lingS, the Chief went to Colonel Ethcrt's
residence, and exhibiting his certificates Of
apyoiutmcn, and qualification signed by
the President Of the Council (Atr. Scott)
and the Nayor. stated that he had entered
ulon the discharge Of his duties. At the
same time he expressed the hope that there
wouli be no resistance offered. To this
Colonel Egbcrt replied that, believing the
enabling act unconstitutional, it had been
determined by the gentlemen holding mu-
nicipal Offices by military appointment to
contest the matter, aIl that no surrender
would he made.
An hour later, Mayor Ellyson and the
Chief Of Police, learning that the rebels
had fortified the police stations and were
preparing for armed resistance, established
their headquarters at TIA Main street,
jutt above Fifteenth, and there were soon
assembled the members of the police who
recognized the new municipal officers.
DEMAND FROM THE MAYOR.
At S o'clcck the following letter was sent
BY the Mayor to Mr. Chahoon:
"OFFIcE OF MAYOR,
RICHMOND, March Il, 1870.
" George ChGhoon, Esq.,:
4" Sir.-By virtue Of IN election by the
Council of the city of Richmond held on
Yesterday, and after due qualification &c
cording to law, | have assumed and entered
on the discharge Of the duties Of Mayor oil
| IL, tbof
will az late Mayor Of the city transfer tc
ne as it's present Mayor all property
books, and records, in your possession De-
longing TO aaid city.
II shall be pleased to have an interview
with YOU at my office with the object OF
affecting the transfer aforesaid.
Respectfully, your ohcdicnt servant,
| Oh. K. ELLrsoS, Mayor"
This communication was taken to Mr.
Chahoon by Captain James Nj. Tyler, wht
found the person to whom it Was addressed
at the lower police station in company viii
sir. Rush Burgess and several of the re-
fractory members Of the police force.
cHAHcoS ASKS TINE.
Mr.. Chahoon shortly returned the follow
ing answer to the letter of the Mayor
RICHMOND, VA, March Il, 1870.
"H. Il. E1tysen, Esq:
"Sir,-I have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your favor of this date, anC
shall seud you my reply before II NJ. to
day. Very respectfully,
"Your obcdient servant,
"GEoRGE CHAuocS.h
SPECIAL. POLICE SWORN IN.
! Tie Mayor determined to await until tn
time specified for the answer. Meanwhile
, the report that armed resistance was con
templated few over the city, and hundred
of men repaired to the improvised polio
Headquarters on Main street and otferet
> their services to Mayor Ellyson for the pre-
servation of the peace.
1t was decided best, as precautionar,
measure, TO swear in 200 special police, ant
true and good men to the number of no
less than 500 at once volunteered for tn
service. Two hundred, however, was con
, silered enough, and SO the swearing il
commenced, each man taking the oath o
Office, Of citizenship, and the fourteenth
amendment oath, which were administered
by the Mayor. After being sworn in, the,
were sent up stairs, and received from tn,
captains OF police badges Of office, batons
and revolyels.
TIE REGULAR POLICE.
Fifty-threc Of the old police reported Il
once to Major Poe, and, recognizing his al
,hority us Chief of Police, were assigned
to duty wherever their services were mos
needed.
Of the captains appointed by the Coun
Gil on Wednesday night, Messrs. Tyler
Peasants, Fowlkes, and Disney, reported
carly ut headquarters, and were active il
the discharge of their duties under the di.
rection of Major Poe. Captain Ganter
having failed to comply with the orders o.
the Chief, and adhered to the cause of Mr
Chahoon, was removed by the Mayor al
about II o'clock A. NJ, and Captain
Charles I. Epps appointed to fill the va
cnucy thus accustomed.
THE FiREMEE.
The Fire Brigade rallied to the support
LOT Mayor Elyson early in the day, and to