The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-05-30
Murderous Aaaault on Hon. Charles
Sumner.

On Thursday Of last week, Hon, CHARLES
SUMNER U. s. Senator from Mass, while
quietly writing in his seat in the Senate
Chamber in Washington, was assaulted in
the most cowardly manner, by Preston s,
Brooks, member of the House from s. c.,
knocked known and cruelty beaten with q
heavy cane, until he was by repeated blows
rendered scnselcss.
The particulars OF this outrage We con-
dense from the telegraphic reports ns fol-
lows:
WASHINGTON, May 90, 9 p. NJ. A most
brutal assault has just been made upon Scna-
tor Sumner,b Brooks, of South Carolina
Mr. Sumner was sitting in his place in the
Senate, writing after the adjournment when
Brooks came up to him, intcrchanged some
words, and then struck him on the head with
a largo cane. Sumner rose from his scat,
but staggered, and was quite unable u do.
fend himself. Brooks repeated the blow a
dozen or twenty times, Notwithstanding this
He was accompanied by Mr.. Kcitt, OF South
Carolina, who attempted to prevent inter
ference by the bystandcrs in Summers behalf
Mr. Summers head Is cut badly, and he !,
bleeding very much, but It Is hoped that he
Is not dangerously injured, although he IL
now in state of partial stupor.
The supposed cause Of attack is Mr.. Sum
ner's remarks on Mr.. Butler, who Is an un.
Gle of Mr.. Brooks.
Mr.. Sumner fell from the effects of the
blow, and Brooks continued beating him.
Mr.. Sumner soon recovered sufficiently "a
call for help, but no one intcrfercd, and
Brooks rep ated the blows until Mr.. Sum
ner was deprived Of the power of speech
Some eyewitness state that Brooks struck
him as many as fifty times on the head.
Mr.. S. was sitting in an arm chair when
the ..ssault was made, and had no opportu.
nifty to defend himself.
After his assailant desisted, he was car.
ried to his room, but the extent Of his inju
ries is not yet asccrtained.
Mr.. Brooks was complained of by VIM
Y. Leader, on whose oath Justice Hollings.
head required Brooks to give bail in the sun
of $500. as security for his appearing,
tomorrow afternoon.
The cane used by Brooks was shattered tc
pieces by the blows.
When the attack was made, there wer,
probably fifteen or twenty persons present
including Messrs. Crittenden, Foster, 'Toomb
Fitzpatrick, Murray. Morgan, and othcl
members Of Congress, togelher with Gov
German, several officers of the Senate, ant
some strangers.
The attack was 80 sudden and unexpected
that Mr.. Sumner had no opportunity what
ever to place himself in defensive attitude
The FIRST blow given him by Mr.. Brook
stunned him, and tho thick gutta perchi
stick used by Brooks, was broken In man,
pieces by the time the assault terminated.
Messrs. Crittenden, Toombs, Murray, ant
Others interfcrcd as soon rs they could, an,
probably prevented further damage. TIL
greatest excitement prevailed. Mr.. Sumne
sank perfectly unconscious to the door, wher
he lay, bloody and dreadful.y bruised, until
he was raised by his friends.
Mr.. Summers physicians say his wound
are the most severe ilesh ones they ever saw
on a mans head, and deny his friends I'D
mission to him, ...,,,-. .f n
II appears by late accounts from Wash
ington that Brooks, the brute who mad
the assault, had laid in wait during all o
Wednesday and Thursday to ass,il Mr.
Sumner in the street. But Inc happened :,
go to the capitol in carriage. Brooks On
tored the room and seated himself in th,
rear waiting until some gentlemen and Ia
dies who were present had retired. Th,
first blow cut a cash In his head four inche,
in myth. Mr.. Sumner involuntary stroy,
to rise, and in doing so tore up his desk.
Messr. Morgan and 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 prostrate and nearly uncon
scious. The persons present In tho Senate
were Mr.. Sutton, one Of the reporters, th,
Sergeant-at-Arms, Mr.. Simopton; Senator,
Crittenden, Iverson, Bright, Toombs, Doug
las, Pearcc, and Others. No one of the Sen.
ators offered to interfere, but Mr.. Critten.
den, who pronou need II an inexcuablc out.
rage. -i.f g. j4u, .~Jg .
, Mr.. Wilson rushed into the Senate cham.
Der on hearing Of the attack, but found
Mr.. Sumner had bee, removed to the Vice
Prosident's rooms, and surgeon was In ut.
tendance. He then helped to put his col.
league into Q carriage, and went with him
to his lodgings.
Mr.. Sumner h badly injured, having two
very severe cuts on the head. His con-
dition Is considered critical, and bis physi,
clans allow no one to eco him, Hh clothes
were literally covered with blood when he
was removed, Considerable blood was also
spattcred ON the adjoining desks. -
Keith, Of South Carolina, brandished his
csno To prevent pcrsous from interfering in
behalf Of Sumner. = ;, &. =,
Some further particulars arc given By the