The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Philosophy
The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)
Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Dueling
Alexander Campbell, Brevet-Major in the army, and a Captain in the 21st
regiment, stood indicted for the “wilful and felonious murder” of
Alexander Boyd, a captain in the said regiment, by shooting him, the
said Alexander Boyd, with a pistol bullet.
To support this indictment, the following witnesses were produced:—
George Adams, who stated, that he had been assistant surgeon in the 21st
Regiment, since April twelvemonths. He knew Major Campbell and Captain
Boyd. In the year 1807 they were quartered in the barracks, in the
county of Armagh side of Newry. On the 23rd of the said month, Captain
Boyd died of a wound he received by a pistol bullet, which penetrated
the extremity of the four false ribs, and lodged in the cavity of the
belly. On that day the regiment was inspected by General Kerr; and,
after the inspection, the General and officers messed together. About
eight o’clock all the officers left the mess, except Major Campbell,
Captain Boyd, witness, and a Lieutenant Hall. A conversation then
commenced by Major Campbell stating, that General Kerr corrected him,
that day, about a particular mode of giving a word of command, when he
conceived he gave it right. He mentioned how he gave it, and how the
General had corrected him. Captain Boyd remarked, that neither was
correct according to Dundas, which was the King’s order. (This
observation, witness stated, was made in the usual mode of
conversation.) Major Campbell said, “it might not be according to the
King’s order, but still he conceived it was not incorrect.” Captain Boyd
still insisted it was not correct, according to the King’s order. They
argued this some time, till Captain Boyd said,—he knew it as well as any
man. Major Campbell replied,—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
that I am wrong?” Captain Boyd replied, “I do. I know I am right by the
King’s orders.” Major Campbell then quitted the room. Captain Boyd
remained after him for some time. He left the room before the witness or
Lieutenant Hall; but no observation was made on his going, more than on
that of any other gentleman that had dined there. The witness and
Lieutenant Hall went out together in a short time after. They went to a
second mess-room, and there Captain Boyd came and spoke to them. (The
conversation was not admitted in evidence, as Major Campbell was not
present at it.) They then went out together, and the witness left
Captain Boyd at Lieutenant Dewar’s. In about twenty minutes after he was
called upon to visit Captain Boyd. He went, and found him on a chair
vomiting. He examined his wound, and found it a very dangerous one. He
survived it but eighteen hours. He stayed with him till he died, during
which time he got gradually worse.
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