The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-07-08

few instances the parties en- gagged Ion the field of honor" have been seriously dealth with The most deplor- able duel in the United States was that In which Aaron Burr deprived this country of one of its most distinguished which was summarily dealt with by the English government, was that fought between Maj. Henry Alexander Camp bell and Capt. Alexander Boyd. Cap tain Boyd, like Hamilton, was killed, and as a result of his death Major Campbell was tried, condemned and ex- ecuted.
 The trial was begun on August 10, 1898. at the Armagh assizes. At the time of the tragedy Campbell was brevet major in the English army and a captain of the Twenty firE regiment. In June of the previous year both of- flcers' were auartered in the barracks in the county of Armagh. On the 23d of that month a quarrel took place be- tween the two officers as to the way Campbell had given an order. Campbell had been corrected by his superior of- ficer, General Ker, and Boyd sidGd with him and sneeringly referred to Camp bells intelligence as an officer, so much 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 witnessed h a,.et b1 oib off knew that tragedy had happened 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 of ficer: Boyd, before these officers, was everything fair?" To this Boyd replied
 "Oh, no, Campbell, you know I wanted you 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 sometime when he fled in dis
 guise, but finally gave himself up for trial. Many witnesses told of what had transpired after the shooting and up to the time of Boyds death. The defense set up was merely and exclusively as to the character of the prisoner for humanity, peaceable conduct, and prop CT behavior, and many offifers testified as to this.
 The judge charged the jury in <nost
 able manner, recapitulating the evil
 dence and explained the law on tho subject. The jury retired and was only out half an hour when they brought in verdict of guilty of murder with a recommendation to mercy on the score of the majors good character. He was sentenced to be executed on the follow Ii ing 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 lcountrymen, have on their paths de-
 clared me guilty of murder. This world has now no charms for me. When the honor of a soldier is tarnished, the man. tie of death cannot envelope him too quickly, but the separation from you and my children embitter the last mo-
 ments of existence. Death, but for this,
 would be a pleasing emancipation from woe"
 The faithful wife sent a, most appeal ing letter to his majesty, George III, to spare his life, in which she defended the actions of her husband in the fol- lowing paragraph: Reflect. most august
 King, on the causes which produced this melancholy catastrophe. My unhappy husband, on the eventful 23d of June, ! was publicly reprimanded in the pres ence of the whole regiment by his com manding officer, for pronouncing a mill | itary order which was sanctioned as correct by the highest authority. How could the public rebuke fail of irritat- ing his feelings? And in this state of irritation did his depared friend, Cap tain Boyd, sting his heart anew with language which no gentleman could submit to bear with impunity." l Major Campbell was executed at noon on Wednesday. August s1. 1908. amidst