The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-08-29

The GAME OF LA CROSsE.-La Crosse is
the name of game originated by the In
dams of Canada, but which for some years
has been great favorite with the whites OF
that country. Efforts are now being made
to introduce it in this country, and on We'd
nesday last twenty-four Canadian players
gave an exhibition of match game at the
Capitoline Baseball grounds, New York.
The match was well played, and the spec
tators, it is stated, were favorably i'm
pressed. As it may be interesting to those
young men of our city fond OF field sports,
we append description of the game:
The sport is much more exciting than
baseball, requiring more players and
greater activity and skill. There are twelve
players on each side. Two flags are placed
six feet apart on stats six feet high,
and ut distance of $50 yards two CORE
spending flags are fixed. The playing takes
place between these two points. A small
sponge Indiarubber ball is used. The OBJ
ject of the player is to drive the ball be-
tween the two flags Of the opposing sides,
and the men are stationed 80 that this con
be done only by great skill and .dexterity.
To protect the goal there is goal-keeper
between the flags, who has the defence OF
the ground six feet in front of him, on which
no player has right to obtrude unless
while in the act of trying to drive the ball
between the flags. Twelve feet from the
goal is the "point" man, whose duty it
is to keep the ball away; and twelve feet
further the 'scoyer-point man is sta
| toned, for like purpose. Opposite the
"point " man is placed one of the players
of the opposite side, known as the +" home "
man, whose duty it is to knock the ball be-
tween the flags if it comes within his reach.
The arrangement at the opposite side OF the
field is the same. The felders are stationed
at intervals in the centre Of the field. Two
of these men, whose duty it is to start the
ball, are known as facers."
Theinstrument used inthis game is known
as a "crosse." 1t has slightly curved
handle, with large hook at the end, nearly
the shape of q horseshoe. This is covered
with tight network, and is used not only to
strike the ball, but to catch and carry it.
The ball having been started from the
centre of the field, sixteen men Immediately
begin struggle to drive it to different
parts of the field, while. four additional men
join in the contest as soon as the ball ap-
proaches one of the goals. None of the
players except the "goal man" are allowed
to touch the ball with his hand. The latter
can stop it's progress with body, hands, or
IS crosse" After the ball has been started
to one side of the field the effort to stop its
further progress often becomes very excl
ting, and frequently causes the players to
| lose their temper. 1t is much more attrac-
| tive than baseball, because 80 many per-
sons are constantly engaged in it, while
great skill is frequently exhibited. Many
tricks and cunning devices are resorted to for
the purpose Of putting the ball between the
antagonists flags. i, .us-s
This game in Canada is of the most ex-
/ citing nature. Thousands turn out to wit
ness the most feeble exhibition, and when
the Indians, with whom it originated, mea-
/ sure "crosses . with the veteran white
players Of Montreal, there are tens of thou
sands to witness it. For 8 successful game
4 there is required endurance, trickery, and
skill, and when these qualities are dis
] played, ola Crosse may be thought we'll
Of in the States; but it will DO hard work
to make it supplant the national game
base ball. y,,.r, :. 50, -. ?. =
Colonel George Hancock, of Jefferson
/ county, KY, is said to be in possession of an
! original letter Of General Washington dated
March, 1857. In it he declines to attend a
political convention in Philadelphia in the
following May because he had previously