Campau returned to the minor leagues in 1891. He spent the season as player/manager of the Troy Trojans in the Eastern Association. In 122 games for Troy, Campau hit .236 with 18 doubles, 10 triples, three home runs and 45 stolen bases. Although he had already shown great speed (100 stolen bases in 1887), Campau wrote that it was while playing at Troy that he "developed as a fast runner", often competing in foot races against other players. Campau recalled that he won all his races and backed himself in bets on the races.