History of North America

How many handkerchiefs did a southern congressman predict it would take to wipe up the blood from civil war?

The correct answer is: One. Congressman Preston Brooks from South Carolina was so incensed with Senator Charles Sumner because of a speech criticizing South Carolina and Senator Butler, a friend of Brooks, that he beat Sumner unconscious with a heavy cane . After he had beaten Sumner the required amount, he is reported to have said there wouldn't be one drop of blood spilled in the coming war - just a mopup job for one good handkerchief.