Barrier and the 8th North Carolina were among the 2580 Confederate troops captured during the successful Federal assault on Roanoke Island, 8 February 1862. He was paroled on 21 February, but spent many months at home awaiting exchange. The author of this letter, Lt. Amos J. Hines, was a member of the 8th North Carolina's Co. G. Hines writes that Barrier has not written as expected: "What have you done with yourself?" Hines expresses concern for Confederate prisoners of war: "I often think of our trip to Portsmouth, and as often wonder if we shall ever be exchanged. I have been hoping for several weeks that an exchange might be effected, but it looks like hoping against hope." Hines voices opposition to the current Confederate army's "defensive policy" and suggests that a more aggressive strategy would be better: "I often wonder why in God's name our army does not advance and attack the enemy!" Hines goes on at length about the ways Union forces have despoiled the South: "I am in favor of civilized warfare if we are to have wars, but when the enemy deviate from the rules I am for prompt retaliatory measures." The letter closes with Hines's concern about the closeness of the war and inquiries about the Barrier family's crops.