The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-14
ATHLETICS IN THE FoRrY-NINTH
InduIged in by Men ana FOstered by
Colonel and Chaplain.


Probably no regiment in the Seventh
Corps has the same interest manifested in
athletics as that which prevails in the For
ty-Ninth Iowa. The men regard all man
ner of athletic exercises with great favor
and many of them have become celebrated
among their comrades for their prowess.
Much of the interest that is felt in ath-
letics in the command is due to the chap
lain, Rev. Mr.. Mason lie has done. all in
his power to make the soldiers take hou
and push athletics, and his energy ana
popularity with them respond to his
wishes. The foot bah team OF the regiment
demonstrated the fact yesterday in the
game with Texas that it is a splendid one.
This is a monument to the zeal of the chap
lain. who ordered the suits Immediately
after the arrival of the regiment from
Jacksonville, not knowing whether there
would be sufficient enthusiasm manifested
after the toggery arrived 10 induce the
men to reimburse him for the outlay In
MS hope however, he was gratified, for the
thirty suits ordered have been taken by
The men, and they practice daily and dill
gently.
The colonel of the regiment is a staunch
believer IN the benefits that accrue from
athletic exercises He has seconded the
chaplain nobly in his efforts, allowing
the thirty men that were selected as foot
bali players release from the Obligations
Of drill at such time as there is con-
flict between the hours and the games or
practices that are held. In other ways,
also, he has fostered athletics in his COM
mand and his men have shown themselves
grateful for his Kindness and consideration
for them.
There is also track team in the regl-
ment though this has not recently been
very active. At he time il was organ
lied it was proposed to hold a field day
of athletics, but owing to the sickness that
developed at Jacksonville and so many of
the men falling before its ravages, the
plan was given up. There is an indul-
gence, however. in these exercises, and it
may yet be decided to give an exhibition
A feature of athletics in the command is
boxing bouts. These are thoroughly good
natured. They are sometimes held in the
Y. NJ. c. A. tent. This is with the sane
ton and approval of the chaplain, who
sees nothing tending to evil in allowing
The friendly contests to be held. They
draw men to the tent, and he is able to
meet more Of them in that way than he
otherwise would be.
ChaplainS Mason says he knows there
has been some comment from those who
do not know him and who have not con-
sidered the matter upon the interest he
has taken in athletics He says all he has
done has been purely in the interest of the
men, as he conceived it, and that nothing
but good has resulted. Athletics have given
the men something to think about and be-
come interested in wnen they would have
become blue and disconsolate with moth
ing more than their military duties 10 oc-
cupy their minds and time He Is confident
that this very thing has had the effect of
warding Off much sickness from the regl-
ment and in this view he is upheld by
what some of the surgeons with whom he
has talked have told him.