They were all so surprised at the idea of freedom that they could
hardly credit the fact until their own people confirmed what I had
told them. Rations were given to that hungry company at once. I told
them this did not look like killing off colored people.

"No, missus, dis 'pears like makin' alive, instead of killin'. God
bless sich people as dese, if dis be Yankees."

A couple of young men followed me from tent to tent, as I was reading
portions of Scripture, and advising them how to live in their new
relation as a free people. I advised them to live soberly and honestly
in the sight of all men; that our Heavenly Father looks upon all his
children alike, and that our Lord and Savior died upon the cross for
all alike, because he is no respecter of persons. The young men, asked
to be excused for following me; "for," they said, "we never heard,
white folks talk like you talks in our life. Da never talks fur our
own good, an' dis is so new we wants to ax you please excuse us."

Our head-quarters were most of the time at Camp Bethel; but I spent a
portion of my time in Camp Shiloh, which was in sight. On the Sabbath
I attended a very large meeting in a grove of pecans, oaks, and
magnolias. The minister was a colored man of considerable
intelligence, could read quite well; and perhaps there were nearly or
quite one hundred of our soldiers in attendance. I spoke to one man
near the stand while they were singing, informing him that I would
like to make a few remarks if their minister was willing. The minister
said, before dismissing the congregation, he would give liberty for a
white lady present to speak. "I do not know who she is. She may be
here inquiring for some of her people; but we can tell better as to
her object when we hear her;" and he invited me forward.