Mr. Sumner’s Condition — published June 5, 1856

WASHINGTON, Thursday, May 29, 1856

Mr. Sumner is more comfortable this morning and the symptoms of erysipelas are subsiding. Drs. Perry, Miller and Lindsly held a consultation this morning. No one is yet admitted into his room.

WASINGTON, May 30th.

Mr. Sumner passed a comfortable night, but is in a very bad condition. It turns out that the scalp was torn from the [skull] for an inch or two in width beyond cuts, which was not observed when they were first sewed up.—The surface of inflammation and suppuration is thus very extensive, and exhibits a malignant and serious wound.—Two physicians are in attendance this morning. The greatest care has to be taken to keep the patient quiet. It is likely to be long before he can get to the Senate. He will be removed from the city as soon as his condition will permit.

WASINGTON, May 31st.

A consultation of physicians was held at 10 o’clock this morning in regard to the state of Mr. Sumner’s health.—No person whatever is yet admitted to see him, absolute repose being necessary for him. He was rather more comfortable last night.

WASHINGTON, June 1, 1856.

Mr. Sumner is weak and feeble, but his wounds are doing as well as could be expected. He has been able to sit up about an hour to-day.

We copy the above from the N. Y. Tribune—being the four days’ bulletins of the martyred Sumner’s critical condition. When one bears in mind, that the man has never been seriously hurt—that he might have gone about his business the next day—with what ineffable scorn must he regard this whining hypocrisy? It is even more disgusting than the falsehoods they have put forth in regard to the outrages in Kansas. We see that these last are to be used as Yankees use every thing—for turning a penny. Accounts are already made up for property destroyed to the amount of $100,000—which the Government at Washington will be called upon to pay. We don’t know but they have some such scheme in expatiating upon the intense suffering, and “extensive suppuration” of Sumner. The greater his afflictions—the greater should be the bill for damages.

SOURCE: Richmond Daily Whig, Richmond Virginia, Thursday Morning, June 5, 1856, p. 2