Barrier recounts the Battle of Drewry's Bluff (16 May 1864): "By the blessing of God we have gained another victory." The previous Saturday, there was "very severe skirmishing" by the Bluff in which Barrier's brigade lost "pretty heavily." Barrier was in command of the skirmishers through the whole day and night. He was "struck twice" by enemy forces but was not harmed. Sunday was quiet. Monday morning the brigade attacked the enemy position and "put him to flight, capturing about three thousand prisoners, one Brigadier Gen. and staff." He writes: "We have driven old Butler to his gun boats at Bermuda Hundreds. We are pressing him very closely and I think we will be able to drive him off." Barrier has received official news the morning of his writing that Grant has crossed the Rappahannock and is "changing his base." There was also an unconfirmed report that Confederate Lt. Gen. Richard Taylor has accepted the surrender of Union Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks in Lousiana. Barrier believes the end of the war is near and has the utmost confidence in the army's leadership.