The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-05-28
Investigation Of the sumner Assault.

Investigation of the Sumner Assault.
The House committee of Investigation waited
on Mr.. Sumner Monday in dis charge of their duty
regarding the recent assault. He was in bed but
gave his testimony and was also cross-examined
He unable to sit up during the visit of the CON-
mttee, but did SO short time Monday. He is still
very weak and his ply ysicians counsel him not to
move out of the House for week. D
The following is Mr.. Summers statement on
oath:-"I attended the Senate usual on Thurs
day, the 22d of May. After some formal busiu ess
sentativesy announcing the death of q member OF
that body from Missouri. This was followe cd by q
brief tribute to the deceased from Mr. Geyer OF
Missouri. when, according to usage and out of re.
spect to the deceased, the Senate adjourned In
stead of leaving the chamber with the rest on the
Adjournment. continued in my seat occupied with
my pen. While thus intent, in order to be In sea-
son for the mail, which was soon to close, l was
approached by several persons, who desired to
consult with me, but answered them promptly
and briefly, excusing myself, for the reason that
was much engaged.
When the last of these persons left me, 1 drew
my arm chair close to my desk, and with my legs
under my desk, continued writing. My attention
at this time was so entirely drawn from all other
Objects that, though there must have been many
persons in the Senate, saw no body. While thus
intent, with my head bent over my writing was
addressed by person who approached the front OF
aw are of his presence unta heard my name pro.
nounced AS looked up, with my pen in my hand,
saw tall man, whose countenance was not IA
miar, standing directly over me, and at the same
moment / caught these words:-"I have read
your speech twice over carefully 1t is q libel on
South Carolina and Mr.. Butler, who is relative of
mime
While these words were still passing from his
lips, he commenced a succession of blows with a
heavy cane my bare head, by the first of which
was stunned so as to lose sight. / no longer saw
my assailant nor any other person object in the
room What did afterwards was done almost un.
consciously. acting under instincts of self defence,
with my head already bent down. / rose from my
seat, wrenching up my desk, which was screwed
to the floor, and then pressing forward while my
assailant continued his blows had no other con.
sciousness, until found myself ten feet forward
in front of my desk, lying on the floor of the Sen.
ate, with my bleeding head supported on the knee
of gentleman, whom soon recognized by voice
and manner as Mr.. Morgan of New York Other
persons there were about me offering friendly as.
| sstance, but did not recognize any of them
Others there were at . distance looking on and
offering no assistance, Of whom recognized only
Mr.. Douglas of Illinois, Mr. Toombs of Georgia.
and thought, also my assalant standing between
them.
was helped from the floor and conducted into
the lobby of the Senate, where was placed upon
q sofa. OF those who helped me there I have no
recollection. As entered the lobby recognized
Mr. onde H. OF louisiana, who retreated but l re-
cognized no one else until felt friendly grasp Of
the hand, which seemed to come from Mr. Camp.
bell OF Ohio. have a vague impression that Nj.
Bright, President OF the Senate, spoke to me
while was on the door Of the Senate or in the
lobby. make this statement In answer to the in.
terrogafories of the committee and offer It as pre
senting completely all my recolleciions of the
assault and of the attending circumstances
whether immediately before or Immediately after
desire to add that besides the words which have
given as uttered by my assailant, have an indis-
tinct recollection of the words "old man." but
these are so enveloped in the mists which ensued
from the first blow, that am not sure they were
uttered or not
On cross-examination, Mr.. Sumner said that he
was entirely without arms Of any Kind, and that
he had no notice warning of any kind, direct or
indirect of this assault.
In answer to another question, Mr.. Sumner re-
plied-That what he had said of Mr.. Butler was
strictly responsive to Mr.. Buffers speeches.