Remarks were made by several individuals, and I learned by them that the band had become disorganized and ineffectual by the slackness of the members in turning out. Many of them had failed to report for duty when ordered, and some of them had never reported at all. A great deal was said about what valuable services _might_ be rendered by a _well-organized_ band, and appeals were made to the patriotism of each individual present "to stand by the South in the hour of her trial, and let the world at large know that the people of the South were _determined_ in their purpose, and would fight for her liberties until relieved from the thralldom of a Lincoln tyranny." Each man present was invited to express his views on the matter, and I, in turn, was called upon. To kill all chances of suspicion that might occur from my presence, I responded to the invitation. I said to them that I was a stranger to all of them. I told them that I belonged to Daniel's guerrillas, at Somerville, Tennessee, and I knew from experience that a _well-organized band_ could make itself of great service to the Government, and that I felt it was the duty of _every individual_ in the Confederacy to put forth his _best efforts_, without regard to _cost_ or _sacrifice_, to _sustain_ the Government and _establish_ our liberty. _Our_ band, I told them, intended to live on the Lincoln army, and we kept close to it, and frequently got inside of the Yankee lines and got valuable information, and sometimes we captured prisoners, and horses, and mules; and we calculated not only to do service to the Government, but to make it _pay us_, and I hoped that the people of that neighborhood were as patriotic as they were in mine. The meeting resulted in the reorganization of the band, with eighty members. It has often been reported that citizens of the South who had taken the oath of allegiance to the Federal Government, were subject to abuse and cruel treatment by guerrillas and soldiers of the Confederate army; but in that meeting several of the members said that they had taken the oath, and had done it because compelled to do it, and it was not spoken of as an offense nor regarded as an obligation. I had hoped that, in attending the meeting, I would be enabled to learn of some intended raid or campaign, but none was spoken of and probably none contemplated by the band at that time. About 1 o'clock, P. M., the meeting closed, and I resumed my way back. Two days after, I arrived at Vicksburg, and reported to General Grant. CHAPTER XXV. Taken sick with the ague--Encounters his Satanic Majesty--The Devil afraid of General Grant--Expedition to Bogue Chitto Creek--Captures a rebel Colonel--Enlists as a veteran--Makes a speech to the soldiers.