"Yes," said I, "we fleeced the Johnnies. But where is your uniform?"
"I ha'n't got a uniform, boys. I am no secesh. I have always been a good Union man."
We then searched the house for the saddle and uniform, which we found, hid under the floor.
"What uniform is this," said I, hauling it up from its hiding-place.
"It's my opinion that the boarder's clothes will just fit you. Take off the clothes you have on and put on these, and do it quick, too."
"I declare, gentlemen, that's not my uniform."
"No matter; you must put it on and see how it fits."
"Jiminy-pult!" said Bader, brandishing his revolver; "put this uniform on in a hurry, or we'll help you!"
"No more excuses," said I. "It a'n't but a few minutes since we saw you have it on."
The Colonel reluctantly changed his former dress for the uniform. "There--your military clothes fit well. Now go with us."
Bader saddled the horse and brought it to the door, when we made him mount and go back with us to General Logan. I told him the course the enemy had taken, and how we had captured the Colonel.
"Good morning, Colonel," said Logan. "Have you got any meat?"
"Bunker, you go over and get some for our supper to-night."
I returned, accompanied by my partner, to the Colonel's house, where we found a nice flock of turkeys. Knowing that officers were fond of turkeys, I called a dog that was lying in the yard and set him to work. In a few minutes we captured six nice ones, which we carried to the General in lieu of meat.
"Here, Colonel," said Logan, showing the turkeys to the prisoner, "you shall have a nice supper in the Federal fortress. Boys, have you got any for yourselves?"
"Here, take these," (handing me two of them.)
They made us an excellent supper; but whether the Colonel relished his own turkeys, and himself a prisoner, I am not so sure. The next day I was laid up with the ague, and was not able to scout any more during that expedition.
In the month of December, 1863, the re-enlisting of soldiers as veterans commenced in my regiment. I at once re-enlisted, and set about using my influence to persuade others to do so. This I did, generally by private conversation. Once, however, Bunker was called upon to make a speech, of which the following is what he had to say: