The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-10
KURNEL BUNKER.
He Tells How He Surrendered and
Ended the War.

There was something dramatic about
my surrender and the close OF the wan
sub-something quite dramatic" SAID
Colonel Bunker as he lighted a fresh
cigar and settled down into his chair.
TT was far from my intention to make
it dramatic but it came about that
way
was never in better spirits. ana the
enthusiasm of my men was never great
err l looked upon it as a move to draw
the enemy on, suh--to draw him on and
overwnelIn him. and l was anxious Tor
the crisis. Thinking and feeling as l
did, the news that our army was to sur
render struck me staggering blow. 1T
didn't seem POSSIBLE. l was stunned.
Majah Strong. Captain Dorker and 9th
ers gathered around me. and it was the
gallant majah whose lips trembled as
he asked me the question:
'Kurnel Bunker. can it be possible
that the end is .rere?'
I won't believe it, says I.
1t shall not be until we are all dead
says the dashing Captain Dorker-
But it was true. suh-it was true,
sighed the colonel "Outnumbered and
worn out. the time had come when our
gallant army was to lay down its arms
and fight no mo- 1t was not Tor me 70
raise objections. For a time all l could
Go was to turn awav my head and let
the bitter tears find their way down my
cheeks. If I felt that I could take that
army and keep the field for another
year il l felt that I might even wreSt
victory from defeat. it was not for me
to say so and bring my superior officers
into contempt. However, sub, had
solemnly vowed never to surrender
while had a breath of life left, and as
the sad faced patriots were marching
forward to ground arms I turned to my
weeping heroes and said
Men. I can die. but ] can't sur
render!
That'c me, kurnel!' cried a thous-
and voices in chorus, and then drew
my gallant blade and shouted:
:. Those who will fight on and die as
brave men should follow me-!
1T makes me THRILL to remember that
day, suh-it makes me thrill I march
ed away at the head of my men. Owing
to some mistake or misunderstanding
ony three privates followed me did
not discover this fact Suntil I had
marched about fifteen miles, and of
course it made a change in my pro-
gramme. I'm fghtah, sub, and
the son of a fightah, but there is limit
to what a brave man can accomplish
For instance, fo' men can't fight 200, 900
and hope to win. When / realized the
position I was in, made a farewell adj
dress to my troops and dismissed them
to their respect homes. l haven't copy
of that address with me at the moment,
but one will be mailed to yo', suh-one
will reach 'yo' in day or two, and L
trust that a careful peruSal will bring
an announcement from yO' that it is a
masterpiece in it's way. Yo' will find
it terse, logical, pathetic and enduring.
There was not a dry eye among those
three privates when I read it to them,
and it is needless to add that my own
were suffused with tears. Yes, sub,
disbanded them to their homes, and
when they had marched away 1 betook
myself to the mountains to finish the
work alone. What happened at Apo
mattox after I left has often been told
me. After our army had surrendered
to the last man the enemy seemed puz-
zled and anxious. A general finally rode
up and down the lines and loudly in
quired:
Has any one seen Kurnel Bunker?
If he is present, let him step fo'th.
But Kurnel Bunker wasn't there"
smiled the colonel. He was called for
again and again, and have understood
that his absence caused a serious hitch