The New York herald., 1865-10-16
Another Sensation story SpOilcd-Thc
Dca h of Wm. l.. Yancey.

FROM tic Richmond TINS, Oct. D.
From tmc TO time IL becomes the duty OF Journalists
from regard for facts to spoil good stories that
"gong the rounds" For such ungracious task
take up our pen on this occasion.
writer in the Nashville Rrpa,iican Banner after a
sentimental visit TO the grave Of the late William I.
Of which resulted Directly o ="
the "great fire eater" He says the question of navy
beng under discussion in the Confederate Senate il
secret session. high words passed between Mr. Ben Hill,
Of Georgia, and Mr. Yanccy when, the le being given
by the former, Mr.. Yancey caped forward, and while
OF the latter and violently thrown back q desk.
Mr. Hill man OF wonderful muscular development.
Mr.. Yancey was never very heavy, though 1.-THE aud
active. In the fall his spnc was seriously injured, and
when the bystandcrs rushed upon the two and dragged
tho from the other the great fire eater lay
sc0us upon tbs floor with little trcke Of blood
ing from his lips He carried to his hotel vote OF
secrecy was passed. and the encounter hdshed up No
one in ri hmond except that body of men knew os the
circumstance for six months after Meanwhile, the vic
tim did not He dropped from day to day He
) came istlcss, hopeless and vacant He was trans
fcrrcd 10 his home, whore his Commissions ceased
a few weeks before his DEATH which was tranquil and
calm y
Though VIC know nothing OF tho last illness Of Mr.
ranccy, OF the circumstances that Immediately pre-
cedcd his death. Information In relation 20 the aiiar
in the Senate chamber 70 which lac alludcs sucicni
10 authorize la declaring his version Of the
10 b. incorrect in every particular With the
convict on rpon that shall make story Of les
thrilling ttsc interest, We shall lay before readers
the main facts OF the affair for the authority of which
are, from personal knowledge, willing TO vouch.
During the session Of 1885, the conscript bill, which
es OF eighteen and oryGvc years, chiefly engaged the
attention OF the Confederate Congress. Mr Yancey Lad
opposed the conscrp act q 1852 upon 'hr round Of
mode OF raising troops was by rqusan The Prcs
dent upon tho Governors OF the several STATE but when
the subject up IN the Senate in 1865; Lc declared
that after patient and thorough investigation OF the sub
cc he had discovered bis and become convn, ed
that Congr s had authority to raise troops by conscrp
ton. sir Hin followed Mr. Yanccy in the discussion
There bad feeling between the cngcndered during
the debate OF the same question in 1862 aud Il now
blazed out arcsh. In the course OF his remarks Mr.
Hill tauntcd Mr. Yancey with his ency ana ter
giycrsaton Mr.. Yancey, throwing into bis man.
ner and tone an expression OF the most concentrated
rage disgrst and contempt, uttered tho moposyl-
liable ssPish ~ The Senate occupied The north room
the 5. cund floor Of the Capitol, in which the
military commission sits. Mr.. Yancey was In his
seat near The western window. Mr. Hill was Standing
near his seat In front OF the Presidents chair As he
offensive expression was uttered the latter stopped in
the middle OF sentence; his face Grim oned, and he
shot angry glance at his adversary, who met II with
steady look OF defiance; but instantly recovering himself
he resumed his remarks as II nothing had occurred
When he concluded the Senate resolved into secret
sion, and the lobby and the reporters seats cleared
After brief secret session the Senate adjourned As
Mr. Yancay passed Mr.. Hills seat his way TO the
door, angry word or two were exchanged, and Mr.
Yancey received severe blow on the left cheek which,
however did not knock him down. Senators nerrosed
and separated the combatants The matter was kept
quiet and few persons in the city, except the members
and officers Of the Senate ever heard Of the occurrence
Immediately after the adjournment Of the Senate tho
journal clerk called the reporters Of the city newspa
pers and prevailed upon them 70 suppress the debate
Three days afterwards MT Iancey appeared IN Die saf
witha black eye, but in other respects looking in his
usual health.
More than a month subsequently, when all traces of
.hc cnconrc had disappeared from his person. and the
angry debate had quite passed out OF mems minds he
day being evidently In superb mental and physical
condition. his seat 10 personal explanation, and
replied 10 Mr. Hills attack upon him in studied, bitter
phlipp, OF over hours length. His remarks we're
almost entirely PERSONAL but there nothing OF tenn
per apparent In his manner, which calm, cold and
elegant He analysed his opponent with all the sang
froid that a chemical lecturer might display In
animate subject MT Hill had the reputation, whether
deserved or not do not decide Of want Of xedness
In hs convictions and opinions. Mr. Ysncey compared
him ai length TO the tte iokerp OF the thimblcrigger
so difficult he declared II TO tell where he really
The survivor Of these two gentlemen win doubtless be
amazed to learn that he sis Of wonderful u
lar development Mr. Hill is between thirty Ave and
forty years of age Is about six feet inch in height
with much bone tban muscle and will weigh about
ono hundred and fifty pounds Mr Yancey WAS rhaps
an inch less stature but Of full habit and weighed De-
tween one hundred and sixty and one hundred ana
seventy pounds AT the timc Of the diflcuy Mr. Yam.
cey must have been fty years Of age When his dealh
was announced in Richmond, twelve months OF more
after the rencontre IN the Senate chamber, the TWO
events were not spoke Of IN connection ana were never
We believe thought Of cause and consequence except
no t,o rriter m Tho Nashville RsDublfcup Banner.