Final answer:
Ellison Hatfield was assaulted by the McCoy sons during the historic Hatfield-McCoy feud which peaked in the late 19th century, specifically following an 1882 election day event.
Step-by-step explanation:
The attack on Ellison Hatfield by the McCoy sons occurred in the context of the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, a series of violent clashes between two families living in the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River region near the border between Kentucky and West Virginia. This notorious family feud reached its peak in the late 19th century and is often cited as the most famous family feud in American history. Ellison Hatfield was attacked in 1882 following a disputed election day incident.