Assassination Of Major Ch...
The Times, 1824-12-01T00:00:00

I (From the Newfoundidnd Gazette of Nov. 9.) It is our paintul duty to record, in this day's Gazette, the melan- choly death of Ilajor Chamnpion, 21st Royal North British Fusi- leers, commanding the troops in tHis garrison. On retnrning to the fort on Wednesday evening last, at about 7 p. m., he was shot bv the sentry posted at the drawbridge, md expired before 10 on the iame eveCing. The wretch whe commirted this diabolical act is now given over to the civil authority; and Ls this is the second instance of a similar nature which he has endeavoured (though in the first instance happily unsuccessfully) to perpet!ate, it is hoped that he will soon meet with that fate which he so ri:hly deserves, The body of AMa- jor Champion was interred with every mnilitary honour due to the much-lamented deceased on Thunday evening; and marked respect was paid to his memory by the principal authorities, civil and mili- tary, together with most of the retpectablckhabitants. The foregoing particulars (tratisnitted to us from the regiment) comprise a faithful detail of as sbheking an event as ever was record. ed-one, we are happy to say, hitberte usrprecedented in this colony, and of which, perhaps, scarcely a parallel can be found in the an- nals of the British army. It haR tarown a gloomy melancholy over this community, which at once marks the detestation and horror in which the crime is held, and the deep commiseration that is felt by all for the fate of Mlajor Champion, and in the afflictioni of his widowed lady, and five fatherless children. when the melancholy tidings shall reach thieni in England. We have but few particulars to add, to what is coiunsunicated officially above, respecting the death of this gall:mt offlcer. He was on his return from town to his quarters in the fort, and had reached about the middle of the drawbridge, when he was challenged by the sentinel on duty at the end of it, who inquired particularly as to his identitv, and being assured it was the Major who approac ed, he immediately shot him, and he fell from his horse on the bridge, the distance be- tween him and the assassin being about six yards, and the shot pass- ing below the left breast through the body. An inquest was held on Thursday on the body, and a verdict of wilful murder returned. when the culprit was committed to gaol upon the coroner's warrant. Mlaor Champion was in his 37th year he had seen much service, principally as an officer of thie toaf, in various parts of the world, and was much cesteemed by his brother officers, as well as aU those who had the pleasure of his ac- quaintance. A vessel was sent express to his ExceLlency the GTover- nor on the night of the MSajor's deatli, and lie returned here early, vesterday morning, from Canouan, since which lie has directed a Court of Sessions to be called for the trial of the prisoner. The wretched a-ssassin is named James Ballasqy: he is a native of Ire- land-has been about ten years in the regiment, and bore a bad cha- racter in it. He acknowledged his guilt at the monient of the mur- der,and repeatedly since: indeed,thc savage and unfeeling manner in which, we are assured, he exults in the deed, almost exceeds belief, altheugh lils victim not long since is understood to have solicitc4 and obtainedl a remission of his; punishment for an attempt to coE3mnit a similar ctime. _- ASSASSINATIOAV OF MIAJOR CH,AMPION. ST. VlNCENT. OCT. 16.