I represent James Campbell. I was a Captain in His Majesty’s 42nd Regiment of Foot. I served in Pensacola as Aide-de-camp to Major General John Campbell and, as such, I held the rank within the Brigade of Major. (It is possible I was a relative of his, but there were a lot of Campbells in His Majesty’s service.) “Aide-de-camp” was an important role; I served as secretary and assistant, handling the General’s correspondence and missives to his superiors and to his field commanders and receiving responses. Aides-de-camp were expected to be commissioned officers of high moral character and indisputable loyalty. I was commissioned a lieutenant in the 42nd in December 1756; the date of my captain’s commission is not recorded. I would have arrived with Major General John Campbell, who had command over all the military forces in West Florida beginning in 1779, and I was listed among the officers present at the capitulation of the town on May 10, 1781.
Sources: 17, 38