Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Campbell, Colin (1754-1814)
CAMPBELL, COLIN (1754–1814), general, second son of John Campbell of the Citadel, deputy-keeper of the great seal of Scotland, was born in 1754. He entered the army as an ensign in the 71st regiment in March 1771, and was promoted lieutenant in 1774. He accompanied the 71st to America; was promoted captain in 1778 and major into the 6th on 19 March 1783. While stationed in New York he married Mary, eldest daughter of Colonel Guy Johnstone, who lost most of his property by remaining a sturdy loyalist. In 1786 his regiment was ordered to Nova Scotia, and remained there until the outbreak of the war with France, when it formed part of Sir Charles Grey's expedition to the West Indies, and distinguished itself both at Martinique and Guadeloupe. Campbell was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 6th on 29 April 1795, and returned from the West Indies in July. In February 1796 he was ordered with his regiment to Ireland, where he was actively employed till 1803, and gained his reputation. Throughout 1798 he was employed in putting down the various attempts at rebellion in his neighbourhood, in which he was uniformly successful; he made it a rule never to separate his companies. He was present at the battle of Vinegar Hill and the defeat of the French at Ballynahinch. On 1 Jan. 1798 he was promoted colonel, and on 1 Jan. 1805 he was promoted major-general and given the command of the Limerick district. In January 1811 he was appointed lieutenant-governor of Gibraltar (the Duke of Kent being the nominal governor) at the most critical period of the Peninsular war. During Soult's occupation of Andalusia he insisted on keeping Gibraltar well garrisoned, even in spite of Wellington's repeated requisitions; he insisted on regarding Tarifa as an integral part of his Gibraltar command, and thus deprived Soult of a port to which he could import supplies from Morocco; he did all in his power to help the armies in Spain with supplies, in spite of perpetual hindrances from the Spanish junta and even of Wellington himself, who at last did him full justice. Napier speaks conclusively as to the importance of his work (Peninsular War, book x. chap. v. and xv. chap. v.) Campbell was promoted lieutenant-general on 4 June 1811, but he died at Gibraltar on 2 April 1814. His son, Colonel Guy Campbell, C.B. [q. v.], who commanded the 6th, his father's old regiment, at the battle of Waterloo, was created a baronet on 22 May 1815, with remainder to the heirs male of General Colin Campbell, in recognition of his father's eminent services.
[Napier's History of the War in the Peninsula, in which use was made of Campbell's manuscripts; Wellington Despatches and Supplementary Despatches; Hist. Record 6th Regt.]Dictionary of National Biography, Errata (1904), p.50
N.B.— f.e. stands for from end and l.l. for last line
| Page | Col. | Line | |
| 350 | i | 20 f.e. | Campbell, Colin (1754-1814): before Campbell was promoted insert He was colonel of the 5th garrison battalion 1808-12 and of the 55th foot 1812 till death |