Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-03-17
yANcey AND HILL.
An Account Of Their Difiicui,y in the Con-
fcdcrate Senate.
~ N . r.ll,... 81 az rirrnIcn


In the DfspsTca Of Sunday. March 18th,
;s n Ginning from the Atlanta Constitution.
giving an account Of "a stormy scene
which occurred in the Confederate States
senate between Ben. Hill aud William L..
Yancoy.p and the writer says so far as l
know neither one ever saw in print any
reference TO the episode which came so
near ending in the immediate death OF
Yancey.n Now | have in q scrap book
clipping from the Columbia Glenn. Herald;
date not given, but which was published
about 1874 or 1876, which says:
Among the many events OF personal
interest that occurred in the South during
the late war but few are of more dramatic
character or aroused q deeper interest
nulong our people than the unfortunate
personal difficulty which took place in the
Confederate states Senate mt Richmond,
during its secret session, between Mr. WI
liam L. Yancey. of Alabama, and Mr. Ben;
II. Hill. OF Georgia. Several different ana
conflicting versions OF TINS ahar hhye
been given through the southern press.
but none has yet been published that ac-
cords with n statement we recently de-
rived from a gentleman who was az the
time q senator and an eyewitness 20 al
that happened on the occasion.
~. ORIGIN or THE TROUBLE.
1.-THE difficulty had its origin in the
heated political contests so common IN
This country prior TO the breaking out ot
the war. IL was when Yancey. with ms
dazzlinp eloduence, was firing the south
orn heart" that a barbecue. attended 4y
Thousands. was gwen IN one or the soutn.
ern counties Of Georgia. 1t was here that
Hill and Yancey met-the one the Dold a l1
eloquent defender OF the Unlon' anu Ihe
other the boosted champion or secession
and durinp the debate which ensued words
were uttered that caused an estrangemcnt
that WAS never afteTward Teconciltd.
THE two men met again III the Confede-
rate Senate. both doubtless smarung IN
der the recollection Of past contests ana en-
tertaining no kindly feelings tor each Other.
IL was when the cause OF the South was
dropping and every patriot heart was
heavy with despondency ana groom thaI
Mr. Yancev, rising in bis place IN the SEN
ate declared that the war could no longer
ne carried on with any hope Of success un-
lesa many of the constitutional restraints
and emharrassments were thrown ASIDE
and boldly advocated O radical change IN
the Government to meet the demands OF
the public and the exigencies OF the hour.
An EXCITING SCENE.
"Unon the conclusion Of Mr.. Yancey'sre-
marks Mr.. Hill promptly arose TO reply.
The scene was one of the most intense ex-
element. He deprecated the opinion ad-
yocated by Mr. Yancey and proceeded win
treat severity to review his past political
career. running back TO the beginning OF
the times when our sectional troubles were
frst apitated. He said 1lr. Yancey, not
satisfied with having warred upon and dis
rupted the old Union, was now crying out
AGAINST and endeayOTing 20 subyert and
break down the Confederate Government.
When Mr.. Hill concluded the excitement,
alre DIV ct white heat, was increased be
yond ANYTHING ever before witnessed
during those troublesome uhles' Dlr;
Yaucey arose and in a calm, dlgnlhed, and
self-poised manner peculiarly his own.
commenced his reply. He descr bed Mr..
Hill as repeating ISLANDERS that had been
uttered against HIM for the past twenty
wears. and that all which Alr. Hill had ut
tered had been said innumersble times be-
tore by every third-rate politician IN the
country. and continued by saying: Nature
had designed the Senator from georgia as
AN imltator; that he had been cast in
certain die and it was vain 70 attempt to
enlarge his dimensions"
an INKsrASD THROWN.
"Pallid with rage. Mr.. Hill mounted TO
hisfeet, and Selling heavy glass inkstand,
hurled it with all his might and power ut
the head Of Mr. Iancey, which, grazing
his forehead, ploughed its way TO the skull
and passed on in its furious course, crush
ing heavy window facing beyond. With
ont turning his head, Mr.. Yancey, who
was at the the time addressing the Speaker,
continued his speech. deliberately remark
ing: 1T Is always the prerogative of cow
ards 10 strike from the rear Enraged
.till more nj this remark, Mr.. Hill. gather
ing chair, rushed upon his antagonist,
who, needless Of the attack, was continu-
inc his remarks rs calmly asIf nothing had
happened. when number Of senators III
terposing the difficulty was ended. Mr.
lancev's wound bled most profusely. aud
q scene Of the utmost confusion prevailed.
CAUSE OF YAScEY's DEATH.
1T has been several times stated since
Air. Yancey5 death that it resulted from
injuries received in this roncounter; but
such is not the fact, as he died from dis
ease that could in no way have been shper-
induced by this cause
Mr.. Yancey died at Montgomery 23th
July, 1863, and b. II. Hill died IN Atlanta
18th August, 1892. ..
RICusloND. VA, 10th March, 1891.