Laurence M. Keitt facts for kids
Laurence Massillon Keitt (born October 4, 1824 – died June 2, 1864) was a planter, lawyer, politician, and soldier from South Carolina. He served in the United States House of Representatives before the American Civil War. Keitt was known as a "Fire-Eater," a group of Southern politicians who strongly pushed for Southern states to leave the United States. They did not want to compromise, which eventually led to the Civil War.
Keitt was involved in two major arguments that became physical in the U.S. Congress. In 1856, he helped Representative Preston Brooks during an attack on Senator Charles Sumner. Keitt used a pistol and cane to stop other Senators from helping Sumner. In 1858, Keitt got into another fight, trying to choke Representative Galusha Grow during a debate.
When the Civil War began, Keitt served in the Provisional Confederate States Congress. Later, he became a colonel in the Confederate States Army. He was badly wounded in battle in June 1864 and died shortly after.
Quick facts for kids
Laurence M. Keitt
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| Member of the Provisional Confederate States Congress from South Carolina | |
| In office February 8, 1861 – February 17, 1862 |
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| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Position abolished |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from South Carolina's 3rd district |
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| In office August 6, 1856 – December 1860 |
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| Preceded by | Laurence Keitt |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Corley (1868) |
| In office March 4, 1853 – July 15, 1856 |
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| Preceded by | Joseph Woodward |
| Succeeded by | Laurence Keitt |
| Member of the South Carolina House of Representatives from Orange Parish | |
| In office November 27, 1848 – March 3, 1853 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Laurence Massillon Keitt
October 4, 1824 Orangeburg County, South Carolina (present-day Calhoun County, South Carolina) |
| Died | June 2, 1864 (aged 39) Richmond, Virginia |
| Resting place | West End Cemetery, St. Matthews, South Carolina |
| Nationality | American |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | South Carolina College |
| Occupation | Planter, lawyer, politician |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1862-1864 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Contents
Early Life and School
Laurence Keitt was born at Puritan Farm in Orangeburg County, South Carolina. Today, this area is part of Calhoun County, South Carolina. He went to South Carolina College and finished in 1843. After college, he studied law and became a lawyer in 1845. He practiced law in Orangeburg.
Political Career
Early Political Roles
Keitt was a member of the Democratic Party. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives from 1848 to 1853. From 1853 to 1856, he was a U.S. Representative for South Carolina's 3rd District.
The Sumner Incident
In 1856, Keitt was involved in a serious incident in Congress. Senator Charles Sumner gave a speech against slavery. Representative Preston Brooks felt Sumner had insulted his cousin. Brooks decided to hit Sumner with a cane instead of challenging him to a duel.
On May 22, 1856, Brooks entered the Senate chamber. He began hitting Sumner with his cane. Keitt and another representative, Henry A. Edmundson, were there. Keitt held a pistol and his own cane. He stopped other senators from helping Sumner. He loudly said, "Let them be!" The House of Representatives later criticized Keitt for his actions. He resigned from his position. However, his voters supported him. They re-elected him to Congress in a special election that August. He continued to serve until December 1860. This was when South Carolina decided to leave the Union.
Later Time in Congress
On February 5, 1858, Keitt started a large argument on the House floor. It happened during a late-night debate. Keitt was upset with Pennsylvania Congressman Galusha A. Grow. Grow was a Republican and had stepped onto the Democratic side of the chamber. Keitt told Grow to sit down. He called him a "black Republican puppy." Grow replied, "No negro-driver shall crack his whip over me." Keitt became very angry. He grabbed Grow's throat, shouting he would "choke [him] for that."
About 50 representatives joined the fight on the House floor. The argument ended when a missed punch knocked off a wig. The wig belonged to Representative William Barksdale. He accidentally put it back on backward. This made everyone laugh, and the fight stopped.
Keitt's political beliefs were clear. In 1860, he said, "The anti-slavery party contends that slavery is wrong in itself... We of the South contend that slavery is right." He believed that states should have more power than the national government.
After South Carolina left the Union, Keitt served as a delegate. He was part of the Provisional Confederate Congress from 1861 to 1862.
American Civil War and Death
Laurence Keitt joined the Confederate States Army. He became a colonel and led the 20th South Carolina Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He later commanded Kershaw's Brigade.
During the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1, 1864, Keitt was leading his soldiers. It was his first time in a major field battle. He was on horseback, charging against Union cavalry. He was shot in the liver or lung. This was a fatal wound. His forces became disorganized. He died the next day near Richmond, Virginia. He is buried at West End Cemetery in St. Matthews, South Carolina.
