Duncan Campbell
Encyclopedia
Duncan Campbell was a Scots
nobleman who died on July 18, 1758, as a result of wounds received in an unsuccessful frontal attack
against French forces at Fort Carillon (renamed Fort Ticonderoga
when the British took the fort a year later). The legend associated with Campbell is that a number of years prior—while still living in Scotland—Campbell gave shelter to a stranger who turned out to have killed Duncan's cousin. Faced with the conflict between betraying a guest or taking vengeance for the death of his cousin, Campbell compromised by allowing the killer to hide out in a cave. The ghost of Campbell's cousin is claimed to have appeared to Campbell in a dream and promised to meet him again at Ticonderoga, a place that Duncan surely had never heard of previously. This story was published in the poem "Ticonderoga a Legend of the West Highlands" by Robert Louis Stevenson
in Scribner's Magazine December 1887.
Campbell's 42nd Regiment of Foot
Highlanders took many casualties in the ill-fated attack on Fort Carillon. Legend has it that the battle was replicated in the clouds over Inveraray Castle
in Scotland on the afternoon of the attack. The story of the ghostly prediction and the apparition in the clouds over Inverawe has been repeated a number of times in magazines, song, and used several times in television scripts.
to write "The Legend of Duncan Campbell" as an accompanying song which explores the beginning of the tale in Scotland. (1983) by Rich Nardin at Mudcat Café
(1989) by Margaret MacArthur
at Mudcat Café
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
nobleman who died on July 18, 1758, as a result of wounds received in an unsuccessful frontal attack
Battle of Carillon
The Battle of Carillon, also known as the 1758 Battle of Ticonderoga, was fought on July 8, 1758, during the French and Indian War...
against French forces at Fort Carillon (renamed Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga
Fort Ticonderoga, formerly Fort Carillon, is a large 18th-century fort built by the Canadians and the French at a narrows near the south end of Lake Champlain in upstate New York in the United States...
when the British took the fort a year later). The legend associated with Campbell is that a number of years prior—while still living in Scotland—Campbell gave shelter to a stranger who turned out to have killed Duncan's cousin. Faced with the conflict between betraying a guest or taking vengeance for the death of his cousin, Campbell compromised by allowing the killer to hide out in a cave. The ghost of Campbell's cousin is claimed to have appeared to Campbell in a dream and promised to meet him again at Ticonderoga, a place that Duncan surely had never heard of previously. This story was published in the poem "Ticonderoga a Legend of the West Highlands" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Stevenson
Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson was a Scottish novelist, poet, essayist and travel writer. His best-known books include Treasure Island, Kidnapped, and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde....
in Scribner's Magazine December 1887.
Campbell's 42nd Regiment of Foot
42nd Regiment of Foot
The 42nd Regiment of Foot was an infantry regiment of the British Army. Originally the 43rd Highlanders they were renumbered the 42nd in 1748.- Early history :...
Highlanders took many casualties in the ill-fated attack on Fort Carillon. Legend has it that the battle was replicated in the clouds over Inveraray Castle
Inveraray Castle
Inveraray Castle is an estate house near Inveraray in Argyll in western Scotland.It is the seat of the Duke of Argyll and a Category A listed building.-Ghosts:...
in Scotland on the afternoon of the attack. The story of the ghostly prediction and the apparition in the clouds over Inverawe has been repeated a number of times in magazines, song, and used several times in television scripts.
Songs
Inspired by the history and legend Rich Nardin wrote "Piper's Refrain", about the end of Campbell's story, circa 1980. The song was first recorded for Nardin's 1983 album, and has been recorded by multiple artists since. The song is in the folk tradition and may be thought by some to be a traditional ballad when song by others. The story further inspired Margaret MacArthurMargaret MacArthur
Margaret MacArthur was an American singer and player of the Appalachian dulcimer.Margaret Crowl was born in Chicago. As a youngster, she moved around with her family - in California, Louisiana, and Arizona. She remembered that at the age of five she heard cowboys on the timber crew singing folk...
to write "The Legend of Duncan Campbell" as an accompanying song which explores the beginning of the tale in Scotland. (1983) by Rich Nardin at Mudcat Café
Mudcat Cafe
The Mudcat Café is an online discussion group and song and tune database, which also includes many other features relating to folk music.-History:...
(1989) by Margaret MacArthur
Margaret MacArthur
Margaret MacArthur was an American singer and player of the Appalachian dulcimer.Margaret Crowl was born in Chicago. As a youngster, she moved around with her family - in California, Louisiana, and Arizona. She remembered that at the age of five she heard cowboys on the timber crew singing folk...
at Mudcat Café
Mudcat Cafe
The Mudcat Café is an online discussion group and song and tune database, which also includes many other features relating to folk music.-History:...