New-York daily tribune., 1856-05-23
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ASSAULT on SENATOR SUMNER.
From Our Special Correspondent


Senate bad adjourned early on the announcement Of
the death Of Mr.. Miller. Messrs. Brooks and Keitt
approached him, each with cane. Several per-
Sons had been about Mr. Summers desk after the
adjournment but at the time chosen for the attack
he was alone. Mr.. Wilson had just left him, on
his way out passing Brooks who was sitting in a
back seat Brooks walked up in front of Mr.. Sum-
ner and told him that he had read his speech twice,
and that it was libel on South Carolina, and
relative of his Judge Butler. Without waiting
for any reply or asking for any explanation he i'm
mediately struck Mr. Sumner a violent blow over
the head with his cane, while Mr.. Sumner sat 10
his seat unable to extricate himself cutting by the
blow cash, four inches in length on his head. The
cane was of gutta percha, an inch in diameter
Brooks followed this blow Immediately with
other blows striking from twelve to twenty in all
Mr.. Sumner had no distinct consciousness after
the first blow. He invOluntarily strove to rise
from his seat, but being fastened by his position
tore up his desk from its fastening in the attempt
to extIicate himself. He staggered under the
blows and fell senseless to the floor, being wholly
stunned and blind from the first.
1t is stated by reporter who was present that
Keitt stood by and brandished his cane to keep off
others Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. Murray Of the New
York delegation were in the front ante-room, and,
hearing the noise, came in. Mr.. Murray seized
hold Of Brooks, who had now broken his cane into
several pieces, and Mr.. Morgan went to the relief
Of Mr.. Sumner, whom he found PROSTATE and near
ly unconscious. The persons present in the SEN
ate were Mr.. Sutton, one of the reporters, the
Assistant Sergeant-at Arms, Mr.. SimOntOn, Sens-
tors CrittendeD, Iverson, Bright, TOOmbs, Doug
las, Pearce, and few others No one OF the Sen
ators seemed to offer 10 interfere but Mr. Critten-
den, who pronounced it an ine1cusabe outrage.
Mr. Wilson rushed into the Senate Chamber on
hearing of the attack but found Mr.. Sumner had
been removed to the Nice-PrOsidents rooms, and
that surgeon was in attendance. He then helped
to put his colleague into carriage and went with
him to bis lodgings Mr. Sumner is badly injured,
having two very severe cuts on the head Ills
condition is considered critical, aud his physician
allows no one to see him. His clothes were liter
ally covered with blood when he was removed
Considerable blood was also spsttered on the ad
Joining desks. J.s.P.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, May %, 1856.
After the adjournment of the Senate this morning,
Preston s. Brooks, Member of the House from
South Carolina, entered the Senate Chamber, ac-
companied by Mr.. Kett, also Member OF the
House from the same State, and approached the
seat where Mr. Sumner was writing, saying he
had used language personally offensive to relative
of his, Mr.. Butler, now absent, and asked If he
was personally responsible. Mr.. Sumner rose, or
was about rising, when, before replying, he re-
ceiyed severe blow with q stick, which was fol-
lowed by another on his head, telling him to the
foor. While down he was repeatedly struck,
until Messrs Crittenden, Toombs, and Others in-
terfere1. Mr.. Sumner is much bruised about the
head and elsewhere. He is confined to his bed
and is denied 10 see company by hls physician
Proper resolutions will probably be offered in the
House tomorrow, and perhaps in the Senate.
This assault creates much sensation, and is depre-
Gated BY candid men of all parties. 1t will greatly
infame the excitement produced by the intelligence
from Kansas.
To ne Assos,aisS PraL
Immediately after the adjournment OF Congress to-
day Preston s. Brooks of South Carolina q Member
Of the lower House. entered the Senate Chamber and
approaching the seat of Mr. Sumner, struck him
powerful blow with cane, at the same time accusing
him of hbeling South Carolina and hIs headed
relative, Senator Butler. Mr.. Sumner fell from the
effects OF the blow, and Brooks continued beating
him. Mr.. Sumner soon recovered sufficiently TO call
for help but no one interposed and Brooks repeated
the blows until Mr.. Sumner was deprived Of the
power of speech. Some eye-witneSses state that
r. hiu,a roro0 m ont tleh
Mr. Sumner was sitting in an armchair when the as
saut WAS made, and had no opportunity to defend
himself After his sSssilant dessted be was carried
to his roOm but the extent of HI. injuries not
tanned.
Various opinions the subject are expressed, many
applauding and some denounc.ng the assault as
cowardly attempt 10 beat down freedom Of speech.
SECOND DISPATCH
Mr. Brooks has been complained Of by Mr.. William
Y. Leader, on whose oath Justice Hollingshesd re-
quued Brook, 10 give bail in the sum Of $500 as secu-
rity for his appearance tomorrow afternoon.
Mr.. Sumner hiss several severe but not dangerous
wounds on his head The cane used by Brooks wss
shattered 10 pieces BY the blows.
When the attack was made there were probably
fifteen or twenty persons present, including Meesrs-
Crittendeh, Foster, ToOmbs, Fitzpatrick, Murray,
Morgan and other members of Congress together
with Governor German several officers Of the Senate,
and some strangers. The attack was so sudden and
~ unexpected that Mr.. Sumner had no opportunity
whatever TO place himself in defensive attitude.
The irst blow given him BY Mr. Brooks stunned
in, and the thick gutta- -ptrchs stick which used
BY M Brooks wss broken into many pieces by the
time the assault terminated. Messrs. Cnttsnden,
Toouhs Murray and Others nterfered as soon a. they
could ard probably prevented further damage. The