Barrier's regiment left Hanover Junction on 29 May for Culpeper County (to prepare for the march northward into Pennsylvania). On 9 June he and the regiment were involved in a large-scale cavalry engagment at Brandy Station, when Union troopers crossed the Rappahannock and attacked. Fighting continued throughout the day; Barrier reports that his regiment acquitted itself well, though they did suffer some casualties, including the captain of Co. F, who was shot in the mouth. "Our company wound up the scene of action on the right about sundown by chasing a squad of yankeys at full speed for about two miles, we run them to the river where there was considerable force." Barrier passes on news for W. D. Anthony, who wants to let his father's family know that he is alright.