The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-06-04
Investigation Of the Sumner Assault.
w AsnINGToN, May &c.

The uouse Committee Of Investigation
waited OIL MIR. Sumner to-day in discharge
of their duty regarding the recent assault.
he was in bed, but gave his testimony,
and was also cross examined. He was
unable to sit up during the visit of the
Committee, but did SO short time to-day.
lie is still very weak, and his physicians
counsel him not 10 move out Of the house
Tor a week.
The following is Mr.. Summers state
ment on oath II attended the Senate as
usual on Thursday, the 22d of MAY. At
ter some formal business, message was
received from the House of Representatives
announcing the death Of member of that
body from Missouri. This was followed
by brief tribute to the deceased from
Nh Geyer, of Missouri, when, according
to usage and out Of respect to the deceas.
ed, the Senate adjourned. Instead of
leaving the chamber with the rest on the
adjournment, continued in my seat oc-
cupicd with my pen.
WI hile thus intent, in order to be in
season for the mail, which was soon TO
close, | was approached by several persons
who desired to consult with Inc, but i an
swered them promptly and briefly, excus-
ing myself, for the reason that was much
engaged;when the last Of these persons left
me, drew my arm chair close to my desk
and with my legs under the desk, contin-
ued writing. My attention at this time
was so entirely drawn from all other Oh
Jects, that, though there must have been
many persons in the Senate, I saw no bo-
dy. While thus intent, with my head
bent over my writing, l was addressed by
n person who approached the front of my
desk, so entirely unobssrved that WAS
not aware Of his presence, until heard
my name pronounced, AS looked up,
with my pen in my hand, | saw tall
man, whose countenance was not familiar.
standing directly over me, and at the
same moment caught these words: Il
have read your speech twice over careful
ly-it is a libel on South Carolina and
Mr.. Butler, who is relative Of mine.'-
While these words were still passing from
his lips, lie commenced succession Of
blows with heavy cane on my bare
head 10y the first of which | was stunned
SO as 10 lose sight.
a no longer saw my assailant nor any
other person or object in the room. What
l did attcrward was done almost uncon-
sciously acting under the instincts of self
defence. With my head already bent
down, rose from my seat, wrenchng up
my desk which was screwed to the floor
and then pressing forward while n,y as.
salant continued his blows. l had no
other consciousness until found myself
ten feet forward in front Of my desk, lying
on the floor Of the Senate, with my bleed
ing head supported on the knee of a gen
ueman whom l soou recognized bv voice
and manner as Mr.. Morgan, of New York.
Other persons there were about me Of
fering friendly assistance, but did not
recognize any one Of them. Others were
at distance looking on and offering no
assistance, Of whom recognized only Mr..
Douglas, of Illinois, Mr.. Toombs, of Geor-
gia, and, I thought also, my assaiIant
standing between them. / was helped
from the floor and conducted into the
lobby Of the Senate, where was placed
upon sofa. Of those who helped me
there have no recollection.
"As entered the loby recognized Mr..
SliIeil, Of Louisiana, who re.reated, but ]
recognized no one else until telt friend
ly grasp of the hand, which seemed to
come from Mr.. Campbell, of Ohio. |
have vague impression that Mr.. Bright,
President Of the Senate, spoke to me
while was on the floor of the Senate or
in the lobby. make this statement in an
swer to the interrogatory of the Commit.
tee, and offer it as presenting completely
all my reccollections Of the assault and of
the attending circumstances. whether i'm.
nediately before or Immediately AFTER
/ desire to add, that besides the words
which have given, as uttered by my as
sailant, L have an indistinct recollection of
the words 'old man. but these are so en-
ve!oped in the mists which ensued from
the first blow, that am not sure wheth
or they were uttered or not"
Or cross examination, Mr.. Sumner said
that he was entirely without arms of any
kind, and that he had no notice or warn
ing Of any kind, direct nor Indirect of this
assault.
In answer to another question, Mr..
Samner replied "that what lie had said of
Mr.. Butler was strictly responsive to Mr..
Buffers speech"