Barrier has received his father's letter, courtesy of Mr. Scott, and is particularly glad to hear that Rufus is doing well, as he hasn't written to William since he left Wilmington. Barrier reports that, reports and rumors to the contrary, Rufus's regiment likely gets just as much to eat as William's. He is saddened to hear that Rufus has lost six men since he went to Charleston: "Such is the fate of many poor soldiers." War news from all over seems to be favorable, and "a fight is daily expected at or near Fredericksburg." There was cannon fire heard from that direction, and skirmishes with Union cavalry on the Rappahannock River north of Fredericksburg, but large-scale fighting has not yet begun. He asks after Jake Fisher, who has returned home from Barrier's company: "We are getting along very well without him and most of us would be glad if he never would return to the company. He is liked about as well as a dog likes hickory." He now owns the pony that Barrier sold, and it appears that she is with foal. Barrier sends a comb each for his mother and his sister along with the letter: "They seemed to want one when I was at home." In closing he reports that they have been baking fine, raised bread, "as [his father] would wish to see."