The case was anxiously debated in the council; but, after a full review of the circumstances, it was finally resolved that the law should take its course. Mrs. Campbell in the mean time proceeded to Scotland, cheered with the hope of obtaining, at least another respite. She reached Ayr, her paternal home, on the very morning that her husband’s corpse was brought thither to be interred.
When Major Campbell heard that his fate was decided, he prepared to meet death with the fortitude of the soldier and the resignation of the Christian. A change had come over the public mind, and universal sorrow for his fate had taken place of the prejudices which inaccurate reports of the duel had produced. By a strange concurrence of circumstances, his own regiment mounted guard round the scaffold. A vast multitude occupied every spot from which a view of the place of execution could be obtained. The crowd displayed the unusual show of all the gentry from the neighbouring country, assembled in deep mourning.
Precisely at noon Major Campbell appeared on the platform, supported by his father-in-law. Instantly the brave highlanders took off their military bonnets; and with streaming eyes, joined in prayer for the spirit about to be parted from its mortal tenement. The vast crowd stood uncovered in solemn silence, so that the grating of the falling drop was heard to the remotest extremity. One groan from the thousands of spectators, for an instant broke the profound silence, and proclaimed that all was over! His body, after having been suspended the usual time, was put into a hearse in waiting, which left the town immediately, escorted by Dr. Bowie, for Ayr in Scotland, to be interred in the family vault.
Major Campbell, in his conversation with his intimate friends, previously to surrendering himself, had always said, that if he were convicted of murder, he should suffer, as an example to duellists in Ireland; but it was always his opinion that a jury would not convict him of murder.
It has been erroneously stated, that the jury recommended the deceased, merely from his universal good character; but the jury recommended him in consequence of the duel having been a fair one; although, by the direction of the judge, they were bound, on their oaths, to convict the prisoner of murder. Major Campbell, previously to his death, observed, that life was not an object so dear to him, as the reflection was distressing, that his children and family should bear the stigma, that he was executed for murder.
Major Campbell made his escape from Ireland after the duel, and lived with his family, under a fictitious name, for several months, at Chelsea (the duel took place in June 1807); but his mind became so uneasy that he at last determined to surrender himself, be the result what it might.
His surrender, instead of being viewed as the result of penitence and sorrow, was regarded by too many as a mockery and a braving of justice. Utterly false as such a view of the case was, Campbell confirmed the prejudice against him by incautiously declaring, that he was sure the verdict could only be manslaughter. The misrepresentation of these words, as has been said, produced a strong effect on the minds of the presbyterians of Armagh. His modest and contrite deportment on his trial, and the excellent character given him by officers of the highest rank, went far towards turning the tide in his favour; but one of the witnesses for the defence is said to have exhibited a dictatorial air, as if his simple word would, or ought to decide the verdict; and this circumstance, it is reported, had a fatal influence.
He was first cousin to the Earl of Breadalbane, a man esteemed and beloved by all his friends. It is superfluous to add, that Mrs. Campbell was a most amiable woman. She had four infant children.
The unfortunate catastrophe, which produced such an awful result to Major Campbell, it is hoped will not fail to leave a lesson to mankind of salutary influence. Both of the parties were gentlemen, eminent in their profession, of high character and honour, who had long lived on terms of mutual friendship and esteem. The unfortunate irritation of a moment, at once deprived society of one of the best of men, and left a widow and infant family to mourn their irreparable loss. Retribution of the most awful kind fell to the lot of the other; and his amiable widow and helpless family were also involved in all the distress which the human mind can conceive.
From the period of the unhappy event to the closing of the tragic scene, Major Campbell evinced the most heartfelt grief for what had happened to his friend.