Did you know that a Northeastern Pennsylvania elected official played a crucial role in one of the largest brawls in Congress before the Civil War?

Galusha Grow was a Republican representing the Scranton area in the House of Representatives in the 1850s and 1860s.

During a late night session about slavery and Kansas statehood in February 1858, Grow got into a heated argument with Laurence Keitt of South Carolina.

The argument turned violent when Grow exclaimed that, “no negro-driver shall crack his whip over me.” Keitt attacked Grow and the House of Representatives turned into a scene of utter chaos and confusion. Dozens of politicians joined the fray.

In the melee, two Northern politicians attacked William Barksdale of Mississippi (a future Confederate general) and ripped off his hair piece. When Barksdale hurriedly placed the wig back atop his head, he accidentally put it on backwards.

This humorous scene stopped the brawl in its tracks, as representatives from both North and South turned to laugh and jeer.

The scene presaged the violent turn in American politics in the years leading up to the outbreak of the Civil War. If you want to read more about violence in Congress before the Civil War, we highly recommend Joanne Freeman’s fantastic book, The Field of Blood: Violence in Congress and the Road to Civil War.

Galusha Grow went on to become Speaker of the House of Representatives in 1861.

(Featured Image: Illustration of the brawl in the late night hours of February 5-6, 1858 from Frank Leslie’s Illustrated Newspaper from the collections of the House of Representatives; Photograph of Representative Galusha Grow in 1859, McClure Publishing, 1907) 

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Read more about the Civil War era politics in the Coal Region

Miners’ revolt in Schuylkill County during the Civil War caused headaches for Abraham Lincoln

Schuylkill County representative voted against the 13th amendment | January 1865

A torchlight parade for Abraham Lincoln in Lykens, Pennsylvania | 1864

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