_Eight_ alone of twenty-seven. And the doorways of the city, All the windows of the city, Sounded forth huzzas and shoutings, While the handkerchiefs were waving, Flags-of-truce, their white unfurling. Nearer came the weary Guardsmen, Hatless, spurless, weary Guardsmen, With white pants, alas! all muddy; Torn and soiled the true-blue jackets, Scratched and worn the hands and faces. But the great crest-fallen captive, Was in plight both sad and comic! With his red bandana nightcap Wound about his head so lordly, With his armless sleeping-jacket Hanging on his martial figure, He was borne aloft in triumph, To the court-house of the city, To the central public building, In the middle of the city. Then they honored him with feasting, Served him well with cheering viands, And they clad his martial figure In a military outfit. Golden crests upon the shoulders, Gilded buttons down the vestings, Brand-new hat and boots all shining, Spotless coat and handsome trappings,-- These they gave the fallen hero, Gave the helpless, conquered Colonel. And upon a dashing charger, On a fine dun horse of Proctor's, He was given back his freedom, He was sent to the encampment, Near the river-bridge of Lincoln; Was _exchanged for all the captives_ That the Guards had left in durance. But he gave the man that took him, Then and there, a martial title, "For I cannot brook surrender To a lower rank than Colonel." So he called him Colonel Dunlap, Called the stranger from Lafayette, Called the foster-son of Garrard. Colonel Dunlap, comes the title, From that day unto the present; In the private social circle, In the halls of Legislature, In the higher halls of Congress, At the bar and at the fireside, Comes the title to the present. Thus was ended the great "Battle Of the Bridge" across Dix River, Where the corps of jolly Guardsmen Captured Stein, the burly Colonel Of the brave Cornstalk Militia, Of the dainty Regimentals, On the fair October midnight, Eighteen hundred eight and thirty.[3] [3]W. S. Miller, Jr., was made Captain of the "Mulligan Guards," a company of Militia, in 1874. CANTO VIII. 1838-1847. MEXICAN WAR.