Laurence M. Keitt
Laurence Keitt | |
---|---|
Member of the Confederate Provisional Congress from South Carolina | |
In office February 8, 1861 – February 17, 1862 | |
Preceded by | Seat established |
Succeeded by | Seat abolished |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 3rd district | |
In office August 6, 1856 – December 1860 | |
Preceded by | Himself |
Succeeded by | Manuel Corley (1868) |
In office March 4, 1853 – July 15, 1856 | |
Preceded by | Joseph Woodward |
Succeeded by | Himself |
Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from the Orange Parish district | |
In office November 27, 1848 – March 3, 1853 | |
Personal details | |
Born | Laurence Massillon Keitt October 4, 1824 Confederate States |
Branch/service | Confederate States Army |
Years of service | 1862–1864 |
Rank | Colonel |
Battles/wars | |
Laurence Massillon Keitt (October 4, 1824 – June 2, 1864) was an American
Keitt is notable for his involvement in two separate acts of
When the Civil War began, he served as a deputy of the
Early life and education
Keitt was born at Puritan Farm in Orangeburg County (present-day Calhoun County, South Carolina).[1] He graduated from South Carolina College in 1843, studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1845, and practiced in Orangeburg.
Career
Early career
A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1848 to 1853. From 1853 to 1856, he served in the U.S. House of Representative from South Carolina's 3rd District.
Caning of Charles Sumner
Keitt was censured by the House in 1856 for aiding Rep. Preston Brooks in his Caning of Charles Sumner. Brooks had considered challenging Sumner to a duel after Sumner's anti-slavery The Crime Against Kansas speech, which Brooks interpreted as an insult to his cousin, Senator Andrew Butler. After consulting with Keitt and deciding that Sumner was no gentleman, and therefore not worthy of a duel, Brooks resolved to beat Sumner with a cane instead.
With Keitt and Virginia Representative Henry A. Edmundson on hand to assist, on May 22, 1856, Brooks entered the Senate chamber and began beating the defenseless Sumner with his gold-headed cane, while Edmundson and Keitt prevented others from stopping Brooks or aiding Sumner. Keitt drew a pistol from his belt and brandished his own cane, holding off the horror-struck senators who tried to assist Sumner, loudly announcing "Let them be!" In July, the House censured Keitt for his part in the attack. He resigned in order to create a vacancy that would be filled by special election, thus giving his constituents the opportunity to ratify or condemn his conduct. They supported Keitt's actions, overwhelmingly returning him to Congress in the August special election. He served until December 1860, when South Carolina seceded from the Union.
Later career
On February 5, 1858, Keitt started a massive brawl on the House floor during a tense late-night debate. Keitt, offended by
Perhaps Keitt's most famous quotation best summarized his political views and dominant agenda. In 1860, Congressman Keitt said, "The anti-slavery party contends that slavery is wrong in itself, and the government is a consolidated national democracy. We of the South contend that slavery is right, and that this is a confederate republic of sovereign states."[4]
After South Carolina's secession Keitt served as a delegate to the
American Civil War and death
Keitt later joined the Confederate States Army, and attained the rank of colonel as commander of the 20th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He later commanded Kershaw's Brigade, succeeding to this position after Kershaw advanced to command of a division.
During the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864, Keitt —in his first experience of combat in the field— was leading his infantry brigade on a horse in a charge on Philip Sheridan's dismounted cavalry near Beulah Church when he was shot in the liver or lung.[5][6] He suffered a mortal wound while his forces collapsed into disarray.[7][8] He died the next day (though some sources say 3 or 4 June) near Richmond, Virginia, and is buried at West End Cemetery in St. Matthews, South Carolina.[9][5]
References
- ^ John W. Califf, III; Jeanne W. Ulmer (January 1973). "Puritan Farm" (PDF). National Register of Historic Places nomination. NRHP. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ^ Allan L. Damon (December 1975). "Filibuster". American Heritage Magazine. 27 (1). Archived from the original on September 29, 2007.
- ^ Congressional Globe. 35th Cong., 1st sess. 8 Feb. 1858. 603.
- ^ Keitt, Lawrence M. (January 25, 1860). Congressman from South Carolina, in a speech to the House. Taken from a photocopy of the Congressional Globe, supplied by Steve Miller.
The anti-slavery party contends that slavery is wrong in itself, and the Government is a consolidated national democracy. We of the South contend that slavery is right, and that this is a confederate Republic of sovereign States.
- ^ a b Seigler, Robert S. (2008). South Carolina's Military Organizations During the War Between the States: The midlands. History Press. p. 256.
- ^ Handley-Cousins, Sarah (August 4, 2019). "Patriarchs, Brawlers, and Gentlemen: Manhood in the Civil War Era". Dig: A History Podcast.
- ISBN 978-0-679-45517-2.
- ISBN 9780881460605.
- ISBN 9780826266484.
Further reading
- Merchant, Holt (2014), South Carolina Fire-Eater: The Life of Laurence Massillon Keitt, 1824-1864, University of South Carolina Press
External links
- Laurence M. Keitt at Find a Grave
- United States Congress. "Laurence M. Keitt (id: K000054)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.