What's the Story of the Lawsuit in 1872?

In 18 72, andy mitchell sues alcorn for t battery. At the end of the first trial, he wins a judgment for a thousand dollars. The court saw itself as having this really important role to play on behalf of mitchell who had been spit on. I one benefit you get from reading these cases and thinking about the people involved is it helps you think in a deeper way about just what might have been driving their behaviour and views.