The men were encouraged to engage in sports as a recreation. At one time, foot ball was taken up in a mild way, but after the Kentucky State College defeated Company H by a score of 59 to 0, interest in this strenuous sport died out.
Lexington was well supplied with entertainment, and on several occasions enlisted men attended the theatre and circus in a body.
Two evenings were known at the Opera House as Eighth Regiment nights, when the drum corps took part in the performance, and a large delegation from the regiment was represented in the audience.
The drum corps was well received throughout the south, and their rendering of Dixie was always greeted with Southern yells of approval.
On one occasion Company L was entertained at the home of Mrs. Kate Breen, where Lieutenant Breen, Inspector of Rifle Practice of the Ninth Massachusetts Infantry, was visiting. He acted as host, and left with the men a pleasant memory of his hospitality.
Dr. Horace B. Frost, of Boston, joined the regiment here, having been commissioned Assistant Surgeon, with the rank of Lieutenant, vice Jenkins, resigned.
The people of Lexington were most courteous and kind to the regiment. Many homes were opened, and the genial social life was welcomed as a help in making officers and men contented. On September 24th, the regiment was the guest of the Jockey Club at the Loudon Park. It gave an exhibition drill, and witnessed the races.
One of the features was a running race, open only to the officers of the Third Division. It was participated in by 20 officers, the leaders finishing in the following order:--
Major Nickerson, Seventh United States Cavalry; Lieutenant Hero, Fourth United States Artillery; Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey; Colonel Pew; Major Eldredge; Adjutant Barroll, and Quartermaster Wonson, all of the Eighth Massachusetts; Lieutenant Horton, Twelfth New York, and Lieutenant Stinson, Eighth Massachusetts.
This contest was continued two other days, the "finals" being run off Saturday, open to the entire camp (12,000), any military horse, with an officer "up." The final was won by Lieutenant-Colonel Bailey, Eighth Massachusetts, on his mare "Alathea," with Adjutant Barroll, Eighth Massachusetts, second, on Colonel Pew's "Essex."