Organization of the civil police.
--At twelve o'clock yesterday the new police force appointed by the Mayor, with Major John H. Claiborne as Chief, assembled at the station over the First Market, where they were received by Major Croft, the efficient Chief of the late Military Police, and his assistants, Captains Ford, Roche and Jackson. The old police then evacuated the station, leaving it in possession of their successors, and repaired to their quarters, in the room over the Market commonly known as Military Hall, where Major Croft and Captains Roche and Ford made appropriate addresses to the men, paying them high compliments for the efficient and faithful manner in which they had performed their duties as policemen for the past six months.--The men gave their officers three rousing cheers in return, and were then dismissed for the purpose of repairing to their respective regiments.The new police were at once placed on duty, and were seen afterwards on their posts throughout the entire length of the city. The number of men appointed is eighty, from whom a detail will be daily made for the purpose of guarding the city and preserving the peace at night. The new badges have not yet been received, and they were consequently furnished yesterday with the star worn by the military police. They are supplied with clubs, pistols, holsters, and fixed ammunition. In a few days each man of the force will be clothed in a blue uniform, with a cap similar to that worn by the Metropolitan police of New York. Major Claiborne, on organizing his men, took occasion to make an appropriate address upon their duties, telling them that extraordinary services might be required of them, and that he should expect from each and all vigilance and faithfulness, and a due amount of watchfulness, both night and day. If the Major's instructions are carried out, we shall have no cause to regret the substitution of a civil for a military police.
Major Croft's force was chiefly composed of men from the Eleventh and Twelfth United States regulars, the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts and the Twentieth New York regiments. The force from the regiment last named was to have been sent home yesterday afternoon. The others may be detained here for a short period for the purpose of rendering any service that may be required of them.
Two station-houses have been established--one over the First, and the other over the Second Market. Captain Betts is the day officer in charge of the first, while Captain George W. Freeman has charge at night. Captain Reuben T. Seal is in charge of the second station-house. That old and faithful policeman, Lewis Magrader, has been restored to his place at the station over the First Market, and his familiar face certainly does remind one of the "good old times."
