Barrier writes that he is doing well and in good health. He is pleased to hear that the wheat crop has come in nicely and is being saved; he had been concerned that there would not be enough laborers to harvest it properly, and even "made an efort to send some of [his] men to the assistance of the people," but was denied permission. He writes of the "great victory" at Winchester, Virginia (15 June 1863) which has made him optimistic about the South's "struggle for freedom and self-government" and eager to invade the North, to "make its citizens feel the effects of an invading army." "We must invade the enemy's country and lay it waste," writes Barrier, "or we may expect to be involved in war for ten years or more."