Eaton weekly Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1866-1875, 1871-08-17
AN UNPUBLISHED HISTORY
The Personal Difficulty Between
William l.. Yancey and Ben. III.
Hill in the Confederate Senate
Chamber.
rFrom the Columbia tTenn.o Herald.l

lFrom the Columbia CTenn.) Herald.1
Among the many event of personal in
terest that trans spired in the South during
the late war but few are of more dramatic
character, or aroused deeper interest
among our people than the unfortunate
personal difficulty which took place in
the Confederate States Senate, at Rich
mond, during its secret session, between
Mr.. VIM. l.. Yancey, of Alabama, and
Mr.. Ben. II. Hill, of Georgia. Several
different and conflicting versions of this
affair have been given through the South
ern press, but none has yet been pub
lished that accords with a statement we
recently derived from a gentleman who
was at the time a Senator, and an eye
witness to all that transpired on the oc-
casion.
The difficulty had its origin in the
heated political contests so common in
this country prior to the breaking out
of the war. 1t was when Yancey, va
his dazzling eloquence, was s'iring th
Southern heart" that a barbecue, at
tended by thousands, was given jNsbhe
of the southern counties Of Georgia. It
was here that Hill and Yancey met-the
one the bold defender Of theUnion, and
the other the boastedschalppion of seces-
sion; and during the debate which ell
sued words were uttered that Caused an
estrangement that was never afterward
reconciled.
The two men met again in the Confed-
crate Serate, both doubtless smartine
under the recollection of past contest,
and entertaining no kindly feelings for
each other. 1t was when the cause OF
the South was dropping, and every pa
| tr1ot heart was heavy with despondency
and gloom, that Mr.. Yancey, rising in
his place in the Senate, declared that the
war could no longer be carried on with
any hope of success unless many of the
constitutional restraints and embarrass-
ments were thrown aside, and boldly adj
vocated radical change in the Govern
ment to meet the demands of the public
and the exigencies of the hour. - i.
Upon the conclusion of Mr.. Yancey's
remarks, Mr.. Hill promptly arose to re-
ply. The scene was one of the most in
tense excitement. He deprecated the
opinion advocated by Mr.. Yancey, and
proceeded with great severity to review
his political career, running back to the
beginning of the times when our Sec
| tional troubles were first agitated. He
said Mr. Yancey, not satisfied with hav-
ing Warred upon and disrupted the old
Union, was now crying oft against and
endeavoring to subvert cd break down
| the Confederate Goyerppeht. When Mr..
at white heat was increased beyond
| anything ever before witnessed during g
those troublesome times. Mr." Yahcey
arose, and in calm, dignifiedI self
| poised manner, peculiarly his own, com
menced his reply. he described Mr. Hill
as repeating slanders which had. been
uttered against him for the past twenty
years; and that all which Mr.. Hill haC
uttered had been said numerous time:
1 hraf hxrSa &I,s,,
the country; and continued, II by saying
| mature has designated, the Senator %
| Georgia as an imitator; that he had beer
cast in certain die, and it was vein t,
attempt to enlarge his dimensions
Pallid with rage, Mr.. Hill mounted tt
his feet, and selling heavy glass ink
stand, harled it with all his might anC
power at the head of Mr.. Yancey, which
grazing his forehead, plowed its way tC
the skull and passed on its furious
course, crushing . heavy window facing
beyond. Without turning his head, Mr.
Yancey, who was at the time addressing
the Speaker, continued his speach, delib
erately remarking, est is always the pre-
rogatfve of towards to strike from tn
rear" Enraged still more at this re
mark, Mr.. Hill, gathering a chair, rushe'
upon his antagonist, who, needless of tn
attack, was continuing his remarks a
calmly as if nothing had happened, whel
a number of Senator'S interposing tin
difficulty was ended. Mr.. Yancey'
wound bled most profusely, and seen
> of the utmost confusion prevailed. 4'i
1t has been several times stated, sine
Mr.. Yancey's death, that it resulted fror
, injuries received in this rencounter
but such is not the fact, as he died fror
disease that could in no way have bee
spperinduced by this cause. 10 ..t-.-