The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-06-13
Messrs. Brooks and Sumner.

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Messrs. Brooks and Sumner.
From the various and confused accounts
OF tho recent affair in the Senate, We copy
the following from the New York Herald,
rs seemingly the most impartial and dis
tinct:
About halfpast one, after the Senate ad-
Journed, Col. Preston 8. Brooks, C., of
South Carolina, approached Senator Sum
ner, who was sitting in his seat, and said
to him:
AMr. Summon, have read your speech
against South. Carolina, and, have read it
carefully, deliberately and dSasssionately,
in which you have libelIed. 2F;Statc and
slandercd my white hirea oIsSlative, Sen
ator Butler, who is absent, and have come
to punish you for it." e.
Col. Brooks then struck Senator Sumner
with his cane some dozen blows over the
head. Mr.. Sumner at first showed fight,
but was overpowered. Senator Cri,tcnden
and others interfered and separated them.
Mr.. Keitt, Of South Carolina, did not
interfere, only to keek persons off.
Senator Toombs declared that it WIS the
proper place to have chastised Mr.. Sumner.
- The affair is regretted by all.
|. The stick used was gutta pcrcha, about
an inch in diameter, and hollow, which was
broken up like a pipe stem.
About dozen Senators, and MANY stran-
gers, happened to be in the Chamber at
the moment Of the fight. Sumner, learn,
is badly whipped.s The city is considerably
excited, and crowds everywhere arc dis
cussing the last item. Sumner cried, "I',n
most dead oh, I'm most dead!" After
Sumner fell between two desks, his own
having been overturned, lie lay bleeding,
and cried out 81 am almost dead-almost
dead -
Mr.. Brooks waited at the Porter's Lodge
about an hour yesterday, and as long this
morning, hoping~to meet Mr.. Sumner,
with a'view to attack him. Failing in this,
he entered the Senate Chamber to-day, lust
as that body adjourned; and seeing several
ladies present, seated himself on the oppo-
site side to Mr.. Sumner. Soon all disap-
peared but one. IIctlnen requested friend
to get her out, when he Immediately an
preached Mr.. Sumner, yand said in a quiet
tono of voice:
"Mr. Sumner, have read your speech
with great care, and with Us much impair
tiality as am capable of, and feel it my
duty to say to you, that you have published
libel on my State, and uttered SANDER
upon relative, who is aged and absent,
and l am come to punish your
at the concluding words Mr. Sumner
attempted to spring to his feet, showing
fight, but whilst in the act was strcuk bv
Col. Brooks back-handed blow across the
head, with a:gutta perchs Sane near an
inch thick, butSloilow, and ne continued
striking him right and left ,until the stick
was broken into fragments, and Mr.. Sum
ner was prostrated and bleeding on tile
floor. No one took hold of Col. b. during
the time, so quick was the, operation; but
Immediately afterwards Mr.. Crittendcn
caught him around tlle body and Farms,
when Col. B. said, Il did not wisllto lIurt
him much, but only whip him.'' 49,.
No one knew Of the anticipated attack
but the Hon. Fl. A.. Edmundson,s Of Vir.
ginia, who happened not to be present
when the attack commenced. Itrwas re.
ported on the streets for several days pre-.
vious that Mr.. Sumner would be armed
when he delivered his speech and that.if
occasion required it he, would suse Ifs weap-
IONS. He was not armed wien attacked by
rCol. Brooks to-day. It ia said, also. that
Mr.. Sumner gave out. before lie made his
speech, that he would sbot responsible for
|anytMng lie might:aay.
l a.. esr,sy