The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1843-11-20
ExCITEMENT IN CANADA

"A CORPSE STOLEN By THE MEDICAL STUDENTS -
most sacrllegIous outrage was perpetraed in Can
ada last week, the particulars of which are thus Civ
en- by The Montreal papers: "On Tuesday and
wednesday last the English village at Chambly be-
came the scene OF no small excitement it having
come TO the knowledge Of the inhabitants that the re
mains OF the late Barrack Sergeant Campbell which
had been inferred few days previous with military
honors IN the Catholic cemetery in the French viii
iage, had been dog up and dragged from their last
resting place by some young aspirants' to the seal
pei, who were finishing their studies under the village
Sangrada 80 little pains had these midnight rob
bers OF human flesh taken TO conceal their atrocous
act that on the family OF the deceased going early on
The morning after the day of interment 10 visit the
grave, they discovered il untenanted the coffin and
winding sheet thrown aside, and marks of hair and
blood on the high wall that the body had been drae
ged over. The late Sergeant Campbell was fine
old soldier who had served many years ia the fifteenth
regiment, and on that corps leaving Canada he was
transferred to the 95th regiment to complete his SER
wee having done so, he retired With handsome PEN
sion oil one shilling and tenpence day and was soon
alter appointed to the Barrack Sergeantrv of the
Cavalry Barracks, Chambly. He was personally
respected and has left large family to depore his
loss-chiehy girls Their mother has, forsome years
been confined and helpless During Tuesday, every
effort was made 70 discover the stolen remains. and Il
possible TO trace the midnight maraudeTs TO their
haunts Suspicion, al last pointed TO an old desola
looking house, which vas formerly the Selgniory
hOuse aho "ncn, IN ruin, had the general appear
aBce Of /" Burking house,
The officers Of the garrison consequently annliea
TO the magistrates for a search warrant which was
Immediately granted. The cave was forced open and
set OF dark damp Shiny dungeons were exposed 10
vew lights being procured a sort Of meat safe was
discovered in the OF the vault which was not
more than three feet high,) and 10 this corner was
heaPed The manged remsirs Of the old soldier rope
was round the neck Of the corpse with which it lad
been dragged from the grave The sight was shocking
and degrading beyond belief II being dark when the
remains were discovered, il was decided that they
should not be renterred before the following dayand
couple OF sentrle5 we're furnisbe from the garri-
son to protect the manged corpse from further insult
The following day being fete day, no workman
could be found 10 make new coffin; and il
was late in the day before shell coffin was brought
10 the spot, when the garrison funeral party the
music, and all the other officers were waiting to es-
eort The veterans remains once more to the grave
he whole OF the English inhabitants and also few
OF the respectable French ones who had heard OF the
atroeity were also in waiting escort the remains
10 The grave, eyincing at once, the respect IN which
the memory Of the deceased VS. held and the horror
N which they held the authors Of this dabolcal sa-
crilege. The body was carried by the non-commis-
stoned officers Of the list Regiment. little before
dark the party reached the old military burying
ground, where a good deep grave had been dug
This old cemetery IS close 10 the foot and under the
surveillance Of sentry. The mortal remains Of Sci
geant Campbell were consigned 10 their last
resting place. The old military burial ground which
for years has been laid waste Is II is understood 10
be enclosed and palisadoed. This is ii should be-
for the least the soldier could expect after sacrificing
his best energies and life in the service Of his Sove-
reign and country, in the four quarters Of the globe
subject TO every yieissitude Of cline is that when
consigned TO the grave his remains should lie honor
ed and undsturbed