Arizona republican., 1914-07-09
TRIAL OF MAJOR CAMPBELL

Dueling has resulted in many dis tressing tragedies. and in not a few instances the parties engaged "on the field of honor" have been seriously dealt with. The most deplorable duel in the United States was that in which Aaron Burr deprived the coun- try of one of it's most distinguished men, Alexander Hamilton, and duel which was summarily dealt with by the English government was that der Campbell and Captain Alexander Boyd Captain Boyd, like Hamilton, was killed, and as a result of his death Major Campbell was tried, con- victed and executed.
 The trial was begun on August 10, 1908, at the Armagh AssiZes. At the time of the tragedy Campbell was brevet major in the English army and captain of the Twenty first regi ment. In June of the previous year both officers were quartered in the barracks in the County of Armagh. On the 23d of that month a quarrel took place between the two officers as to the way Campbell had given an order Campbell had been correct ed by his superior officer, General Ker, and Boyd sided with him and sneeIingly referred to Campbelfs in- telligence as an officer, so that the major could not consistently with his feelings pass it over.
 The duel was fought in a room of the barracks and. was not wit messed by anyone The first the other officers knew that a tragedy had hap pened was when they heard the shot and rushed to the room, where they found Boyd lying on the floor When the officers arrived Campbell said to the injured officer: Boyd, before these officers, was everything fair?" To this Boyd replied: "Oh. no, Camp bell, you know I wanted to wait and have friends
 Campbell then said: Good God, did you not say you were ready?" To this Boyd answered Yes after which the dying man was helped into the next room, where he died.
 Campbell continued with his regi- ment for some time, when he fled in disguise, but finally gave himself up for trial Many witnesses told of what had transpired after the shoot ing and up to the time of Boyd's death The defense set up was mere ter of the prisoner for humanity. peaceable conduct and proper behav- for, and many officers testified as to this.
 The judge charged the jury in a most able manner. recapitulating the evidence and explained the law on the subject. The jury retired and was only out half an hour when they brought in a verdict of guilty of mur- der with a recommendation to mercy on the score of the majors good character. He was sentenced to be executed on the following Monday | but was respited until Wednesday. | After the trial the major wrote his
 wife long letter which began as fol- lows: My trial is at length over
 Twelve impartial men, and my own countrymen, have on their oaths de-
 clared me guilty of murder This
 world has now no charms for me | When the honor of a soldier is tar nished, the mantle of death cannot
 envelop him too quickly, but the sep
 aration from you and my children
 embitters the last moments of exis- tence. Death. but for this, would be
 a pleasing emancipation from woe"
 The faithful wife sent a most ap-
 pealing letter to his majesty, George III. to spare his life, in which she de- tended the actions of her husband il
 the following paragraph: Reflect
 most august king, on the cause. | which produced this most melanchOl!
 catastrophe. My unhappy husband
 on the eventful 23d of June, was pub
 lcly reprimanded in the presence O
 the whole regiment by his command
 ing officer, for pronouncing a militar!
 order which was sanctioned as cor
 rect by the highest authority. Hoy
 could the public rebuke fail of irri
 tating his feelings? And in this stat,
 of irritation did his departed friend
 Captain Boyd, sting his heart anev
 with language which no gentleman
 could submit to hear with impunity. Major Campbell was executed a
 noon on Wednesday, August 31, 1908
 amidst a vast multitude of spectators
 He met his death with pious and be
 coming fortitude, having spent hi
 last moments with pr. Bowie, tn
 father of his amiable and distresse widow. He was buried at Ayr il Scotland in the family vault
 Major Campbell was a first cousi to the Earl of Breadalbane and at hi death left four small children. U to the evening of the duel he ha been on the most friendly terms wit Captain Boyd, and his unfortunate en was brought about by an ungovern able temper and due to the high sens of honor of the Campbells of Scot land when they are accused of lying 1t was an unfortunate incident fo both men concerned and went ia toward curbing tho dueling spirit s