What act did Preston Brooks infamously commit against Charles Sumner?

Preston Brooks is infamous for caning Charles Sumner on the floor of the U.S. Senate in 1856. This violent attack occurred after Sumner delivered a passionate speech condemning pro-slavery supporters, particularly targeting Brooks' cousin, Senator Andrew Butler. Brooks, feeling insulted and outraged by Sumner’s remarks, approached him and struck him repeatedly with a cane, leading to significant injuries. This act of violence symbolized the intense sectional conflict and rising tensions over the issue of slavery in the United States during this period. It also reflected how personal grievances were becoming intertwined with political disagreements, highlighting the deteriorating civility in American politics prior to the Civil War.