Tensions on Capitol Hill never became more inflamed than in May of 1856, when the central issue in America, slavery, was being debated in the U.S. Senate. After a fiery speech by a Massachusetts senator who opposed the spread of slavery into western territories, a South Carolina congressman committed a shocking act of violence.

On May 22, 1856, Congressman Preston Brooks, wielding a walking stick, strode into the U.S. Senate chamber. Seated at his desk, answering routine correspondence, was Senator Charles Sumner, whose oration earlier that week had energized anti-slavery activists in the North.

The South Carolinian strode to Sumner's desk and struck the senator across the head with his cane. As Sumner, dazed and bleeding, struggled to get to his feet, Brooks continued to rain blows upon him for about a minute, until his wooden cane shattered.

Sumner was stitched up by a doctor, but took years to fully recover. Brooks was arrested and released on bail, and was considered a hero throughout the South. People sent him canes to replace the one he had broken beating Sumner.

The startling act of violence, the literal spilling of blood on the floor of the Senate, galvanized factions on both sides of the slavery debate. And with the violence in the Capitol, the nation moved closer to Civil War.

Share this: Facebook | Twitter

More: Brooks Caned Sumner in the Senate

Illustration: Congressman Preston Brooks attacking Senator Charles Sumner/Getty Images

---

Connect on Facebook: AboutHistory1800s

Follow on Twitter: @History1800s

In the 1850s the central issue in America was slavery, and the debates over it played out in the country's newspapers. And, it should be noted, those debates often turned violent.

In this week's Newspaper Sunday feature, I invite you to take a look at some articles from the 1850s:

• The New York Tribune, May 20, 1856: Senator Charles Sumner of Massachusetts gave an impassioned anti-slavery speech in the Senate, which was well received in some quarters.
• New York Tribune, May 23, 1856: Senator Sumner's speech so offended southerners that he was beaten with a cane by a South Carolina congressman. The New York Tribune broke the news and expressed shock.
• Fayetteville, Observer, August 7, 1856: In the South, Congressman Brooks was often regarded as a hero who had "justly chastised" Senator Sumner.
• The Anti-Slavery Bugle, October 29, 1859: An abolitionist newspaper in Ohio reported the first news of John Brown's raid on the federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry.

I encourage you to explore the newspapers at the Library of Congress's Chronicling America site. The site is unfortunately quite slow at times, so it may require some patience, but the material you can discover is fascinating.

Share this: Facebook | Twitter

Illustration: Scene in a Richmond Barbershop, circa 1850s/Library of Congress

---

Connect on Facebook: AboutHistory1800s

Follow on Twitter: @History1800s

Arlington National Cemetery was the site of a remarkable observance earlier today: nearly 200 buglers from across America assembled to commemorate the 150th anniversary of "Taps," the mournful bugle call associated with military funerals.

The story of "Taps" began in the hot Virginia summer of 1862, when the Union Army was stalled in its attempt to advance on the Confederate capital of Richmond. General Daniel Butterfield, who was constantly coming up with improvements for Army life, got the idea of devising a new bugle call to mark the end of day.

With the help of his brigade's bugler, Butterfield came up with "Taps." No one is sure of the exact date the 24-note call was composed, but we do know the bugler, Private Oliver Willcox Norton of the 83rd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, played it that evening.

"The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our brigade," Norton later wrote.

This afternoon the buglers at Arlington played "Taps" as a large ensemble, and then they fanned out through the enormous cemetery, playing the call at particular tombstones.

According to a story at CNN, 13-year-old Alan Tolbert of Shippensburg, Pennsylvania, chose to play "Taps" at the grave of Johnny Clem, a legendary drummer boy of the Civil War.

The Washington Post also covered the event at Arlington National Cemetery.

Share this: Facebook | Twitter

More: A General, a Private, and the Story of "Taps"

Photograph: General Daniel Butterfield, composer of "Taps"/Library of Congress

---

Connect on Facebook: AboutHistory1800s

Follow on Twitter: @History1800s

I recently visited Maryland to see how the state is preparing for the War of 1812 Bicentennial, and a highlight was a visit to Baltimore's Fort McHenry. Francis Scott Key, of course, wrote lyrics, which would become known as "The Star-Spangled Banner," after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry in September 1814.

Fort McHenry these days is a busy place. Every morning the National Park Service raises the distinctive 15-star, 15-stripe American flag over the fort. On the morning I visited, a school field trip was getting a taste of history by helping to raise the flag and then meeting a reenactor who told a vivid tale of witnessing the 1814 battle.

The fort itself has been carefully preserved, and a new visitor center displays an array of artifacts related to the defense of the fort in 1814 as well as the enduring legend of the fort's iconic flag.

If you're planning to mark the War of 1812 Bicentennial in some way in the next few years, a visit to Fort McHenry is a good place to put on your list.

Share this: Facebook | Twitter

Photograph: Raising the 15-star, 15-stripe American flag at Fort McHenry/Photo by Robert McNamara

Image gallery: Baltimore's Fort McHenry

---

Connect on Facebook: AboutHistory1800s

Follow on Twitter: @History1800s