The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-01
TOURNAMENT FOR SOLDIERS.
sword Contest, Tug of War and
Field Sports in the List.

SWOEO OOnteSI. rug OF war ana
Field Sports in the List.
Maj. ]. A. MCGUIRE the expert swords
man and ex-officer of the British and
Turkish army. who is now giving exhibit
tons in America with all sorts of weapons,
is arranging for big military tourna-
ment to take place soon at the Thunder
bolt race course. He has already been ac-
lively at work and has met with more
than enough encouragement to convince
him that there is fine opportunity offered
for such an event and that great interest
will be taken in it by the members of the
Seventh Corps. Maj. MCGUIRE has not yet
decided just when the tournament will be
held, but he thinks il win be about Nov.
r.
Arrangements are now being made for
the race course, and no fear is entertain
ed that it may not be secured. 1t will af-
ford a fine place for the various exercises
It is proposed to have and, 1t is thought.
that with the many athletes from which
contestants may be drawn there will be
some very good events.
One of the features of the affair will be
the exhibition by Maj. MCGUIRE of his dex-
terity with all sorts of weapons. Both
and other weapons, showing some of the
exercises through which the experts of
the European armies 60 He Is also an
accomplished horseman, having been rid
ing master for crack British regiment
in the East Indies.
Men of three of the regiments of the
corps have agreed to enter tug of war,
the teams to be made up of ten men from
each The contest will dwindle down to
the strongest two teams, and then VIII
come the real tug OF war. There Will be
hundred yard dash, a quarter of mile
race. a three-legged race, a sack race,
and other athletic features, in addition TO
the tournament fitting and tent pegging.
Tent-pegging is a sport that has never
beeu witnessed here, though it is not UNI
common at the North. It was introduced
into this country by Maj. Mcclure who
learned it in India. II is rather dan
gerous sport and one in which the sue
cessful contestant must have a strong
arm. quick eye, a steady nerve, ana,
NOT least OF all, firm seat in
the saddle His horse must be
going at eull speed as he passes the peg,
and his lance point must enter the peg
and nun it from the ground. The number
Of noints made are in accordance with the
distance the peg is carried when struck,
and upon whether it is struck at all MAJ
Mcclure goes through this exercise with
The frills giving a series of the fancy
movements of the drill of the lancers.
There will doubtless be a big attendance
at the tournament if Maj Mcclure is sue
cessful in his plan of getting it up, and he
does not contemplate any thing else With
so many soldiers in the city it would seem
that he might count upon big crowd be-
ing present The enlistment or represen-
+atives Of The commands win have the eff
feet of drawing many Of the members.
There win be a number of prizes offered,
some of which win be very attractive.
Horse races will also be had, both for
officers and enlisted men. For these small
entrance fees win be charged. Races were
had while the corps was at Jacksonville,
and proved very successful.