Daily Kennebec journal., 1884-03-27

A RHHARKABLR fRIAL-
CASE OF HENRY ALEXANDER CAMPBELL.

modern days is not the fault of the law;
but it must be confessed. that penal enact
ments against the practice are rarely en-
forced, and public sympathy protects of
tenders who are liable to the seyerest of
human punishments Within few years
one of the most contemplate scenes OF
judicial trifing on record was enacted in
the English house of lords, in the case of
the Earl of Cardigan; and the opinion be-
came stronger than ever, that duelling is
necessary evil of civilized life. Occasion
allv. however, a case of punishment oc-
ours, which stands out in terrible distinct
ness. aud reveals the full horrors of this
barbarous custom Among the most in
| teresting trials for this cause in the annals
of Jurisprudence, is that of Henry Alex
ander Campbell. brevet major in the
English army and captain in the twenty
| first regiment of foot, which took place at
the Armagh assizes in Ireland, in 1908. A
duel between this gentleman and Capt. Al
exander Boyd, ,ofthe same regiment, having
resulted in the death of the latter. Major
Campbell was indicted and tried for the
willful and felopious murder of his friend.
The difficulty between the parties was
of a trifling character. The regiment
having been inspected one dav by General
Ker, the officers messed together. When
they all left the room, excepting MAJOR
Campbell, Captain Boyd and two others,
the gentleman first named remarked that
General Ker corrected him that day about
particular mode of giving word OF COM
mand. when he conceived he gave it right; ;
he mentioned how he gave it, and how the
general corrected him. Captain Boyd re-
marked that neither was correct according
to Dundas, which was the kings order.
Major Campbell said, it might not be ac-
cording to the kings order, but still he
conceived it was not incorrect. Captain
Boyd insisted it was not correct, according
to the kings order. They argued this
some time, till Captain Boyd said. he knew
as well as any man; Major Campbell re-
piled, he doubted that much. Captain
Boyd at length said, he knew it better
than he, let him take that as he liked.
Major Campbell then got up and said,
Then Captain Boyd, do you say | am
wrong?" Captain Boyd replied, IL
do know am right according
to the kings order'' Major Camp
bell Immediately left the room
went home and sent challenge to Cap
tain Boyd, requesting an interview at the
mess room, In 80 minutes. without sec
onds At this place, at the appointed
time, the parties met, when Boyd ex-
pressed Willingness to proceed to buSl-
ness, but wished that the matter be peace
ably adjusted, saying the alteration was
too trifling to produce such serious conse-
1uences it would tarnish both their
names; at the same time asserting that
Campbell was the first aggressor. Both
parties were heated with wine and too
much excited to allow of a satisfactory
adjustment. and the duel proceeded. The
weapons were pistols; distance, the ex-
tremities of the room, about seven PAGES
By mutual agreement Campbell turned
up a guinea to determine the first fire; it
fell to his opponent. They took their
stations. BOYD then said. 'are you
ready ?" Yes" He fired and the ball
grazed the left cheek of his companion:
Major Campbell then put the same ques-
ton and on receiving the same answer.
he Immediately fired. Captain Boyd
gave a violent spring, and exclaimed
family. Campbell 1 am dying man."
Then said the other, ION the word of
dying man, is everything fair?"
Gentlemen came into the room. when Boyd
replied, Campbell you have hurried me,
Won are a bad man." Campbell in great
distress, again asked him, ''Boyd, before
these gentlemen, was not everything
right P'5 mo, Campbell. you we'll know
| wished you to wait, and have friends" :"
Great God" said the other, "do you ac-
cuse me before these gentlemen of being
your murGerer?" Boyd replied, "Yes,"
and soon after said. Campbell, you are a
bad man." He now grew very weak from
loss of blood and was helped into the next
room, whittier Campbell followed and told
him as he was dying. that he was infinitely
the happest person of the two. He asked
Captain Boyd if he forgave him. The lat
ter stretched out his hand and said. for
give you. feel for you. and am sure you
do for me-" Major Campbell then left
the room. Captain Boyd. shortly before
his death, asked for him saying, ''poor
man, am sorry for him."
Major Campbell made his escape from
Ireland after the duel and lived with
his family several months at Chelsea.
under fictitious name. But becoming
very wretched, he resolved to surrender
| himself for trial. feeling certain what the
result would be. II will de-" he said in
letter to friend, ''but not by my own
hand: will surrender myself to justice,
and before the offended laws of my coun-
try, stand an unhappy example, and suf-
fer violent and ignominious death for the
benefit of my countrymen, who by my
unhappy exit shall learn to abhor the too
prevalent and fashionable crime of duel
! ling"
His trial took place at the Armagh as
sizes. August 10. 1908. The only defence
set up was the character of the prisoner
for humanity .peaceable conduct and prop
er behavior. to which several officers of
high rank testified in the fullest manner
! The jury were out about an hour and
returned verdict of guilty. but recon-
mended the prisoner to mercy. Sentence
of death was Immediately passed on him.
and he was ordered for execution on the
following Monday. but in consequence of
the recommendation of the jury. he was
respited till Wednesday.
In the mean time every effort was made
by the friends of the unfortunate man to
procure his pardon. The grand Jury of
the county, and the jury who found him
guilty, presented petitions to the Lord
Lieutenant at Dublin. Mrs. Camp
bell, his wife and mother of his four
children, on hearing the verdict,
Immediately set off for Dublin. and finding