Ready to Rumble: Greatest Fistfights of the U.S. Congress

Whenever one watches C-SPAN it is difficult to listen to Congressmen engaged in a heated debate with an adversary call his opponent "my friend across the isle" through gritted teeth. In an era where politics are nasty and combative, at least we can be thankful that U.S. politicians only attack one another with words. This has not always been the case. Below is a list of memorable fistfights that occurred between Congressmen, or between a Congressman and a citizen based on his actions in Congress. All of a sudden nasty attack ads don't seem so bad after all.

1798: Roger Griswold (CT-Federalist) v. Matthew Lyon (VT- Republican)

On January 30, 1798 in a debate over international relations, Congressman Matthew Lyon implied that Connecticut Federalists, including Roger Griswold, were corrupt. Upon hearing this Griswold called Lyon a coward on the Senate floor. Lyon responded, in turn, by spitting in Griswold's face. A motion to expel Lyon from the Senate on this basis failed.

Thus, on February 15, Griswold decided to take matters into his own hands. On that date he charged across the Senate floor and began striking Senator Lyon about the head with a heavy wooden cane. Lyon arose and retreated to a fire pit were he grabbed hot tongs to defend himself, but Griswold was able to disarm him. The two locked up and exchanged blows briefly until they were broken up.

1832: William Stanberry (R-OH) v. Governor Sam Houston

On March 31, 1832 Ohio's William Stanberry took to the floor of the House of Representatives and accused Governor Sam Houston of corruption in his dealings with the Indians. On April 13^th during a trip to Washington, Houston confronted Stanberry on Pennsylvania Avenue and began beating the Congressman with a cane. Stanberry drew a pistol and attempted to shoot Houston, but the gun misfired.

1850: Thomas Hart Benton (D-MO) v. Henry Foote (D-MS)

In 1850, the Senate was in turmoil due to the fact that the issue of slavery was boiling. During an argument that occurred over procedural rules that erupted during a debate, the large Benton became angry and charged toward the smaller Foote. At that point, Foote drew a pistol and pointed it at Benton. At that point, the Senate was adjourned for the day.

1855: Speaker Albert Rust (D-AR) v. Horace Greeley (Journalist-New York).

Horace Greeley repeatedly criticized Speaker of the House Albert Rust for his pro-slavery political stances. Taking umbrage at the accusations, Rust struck Greeley in the head with a cane. Greeley suffered a mild concussion.

1856: Charles Sumner (R-MA) v. Preston Brooks (D-SC)

On May 19, 1856 Charles Sumner, a Republican, made a speech on the Senate floor regarding slavery which, in part, attacked South Carolina Congressman Andrew Butler. Three days later Preston Brooks, a close ally of Butler and member of the House of Representatives, entered the Senate and struck Sumner repeatedly with a cane. The attack lasted a full minute, causing Sumner to bleed severely and almost die.

1857: Laurence Keitt v. Galusha Grow (R-PA)

The House was engaged in a three day debate over the admission of Kansas to the Union as a slave state. Grow was on the Democratic side of the House conferring with some Congressmen when he objected to a motion made by another Congressman. Keitt, who was intoxicated and half-asleep at the time, told Grow to go to the other side of the isle if he was going to make an objection. Grow asserted his right to stand anywhere he wanted to in the House, and the two men exchanged epithets regarding the other's love of African-Americans. Keitt took off after Grow in an attempt to choke him, and the Keitt fell to the ground (accounts differ on why this happened, based on the political party of the observer). Several Congressmen then began a melee on the House floor. During the episode Cadwallader Washington (R-WS) grabbed William Barksdale (D-MS) by the hair in an attempt to punch him. Unfortunately for Washington, Barksdale's wig came off in his hand. The chamber erupted in laughter, and the fight ceased.

1866: Lovell Rousseau (Unionist-KY) v. Josiah Grinnell (R-IA)

During a debate over a bill supported by Grinnell designed to give more power to the Freedman's Bureau, Grinnell questioned the military record of Rousseau (a civil war veteran), and made some nasty remarks about the State of Kentucky. Rousseau confronted Grinnell after a meeting of the House and demanded an apology. The two exchanged words and Rousseau struck Grinnell repeatedly with a cane. Grinnell, however, escaped with only minor bruising.

1902: Ben Tillman (D-SC) v. John McLaurin (D-SC)

Once political allies, Tillman accused the junior Senator from his state, McLaurin of giving in to "improper influences" on a particular matter. McLaurin took to the Senate floor on February 22, 1902 and accused Tillman of a "deliberate lie". Tillman then turned around and punched McLaurin directly in the face. The two were separated moments later.