"It is with profound sorrow and bereavement that I attempt to write you this letter," begins Barrier. "I received the sad intelligence yesterday that dear Brother William has fallen a martyr to the cause of freedom." Barrier supposes that his parents have already received the news; his own news comes from a man in the hospital in Richmond, who says that William died there, at Seabrooks Hospital. "I have written to the surgeon in charge of the hospital," he says, "to give me all the particulars concerning his wounds and death and whether his grave has been marked so that it can be identified." Barrier consoles himself with the knowledge that his brother died at his post, doing his duty: "'Tis sad to part from our nearest kinsman but tis glorious to die in defense of liberty and the family altars of our aged parents."