Scope and Contents 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...

Scope and Contents Barrier writes his father after spending eight days on Morris Island in Charleston Harbor, where the regiment was sent to assist in the defense of the city: "Since I last wrote you we have been through peril and hardships such as can scarcely be found on record." He describes Morris Island, and the men's constant exposure to the fire of the Union Navy. "I can't describe the bombardment to you only in this way just imagine your self in a piece of woods in a thunder storm and the lightning...

Scope and Contents Barrier writes from the hospital to inform his father that he is "very sick but not dangerous." He was "taken about ten days ago with dysentery and fever." He reports good treatment and satisfaction with his doctor. His men are in good health; only three are also in the hospital. He hopes for a transfer to Columbia, South Carolina in a few days. The enemy is shelling Charleston: "We still hold batteries Gregg and Wagner on Morris Island. Fort Sumter is almost demolished but we still hold it....

Scope and Contents Barrier writes that he's received a box his mother recently sent, though he hasn't been able to transport it from the city to the camp yet. He hopes that his mother will continue to send him all the butter she can spare. He discusses his father's plan to sell his horse: "You spoke of selling my horse for $600.00 hundred dollars. I think the horse is too cheap at that price the way horses are selling. But if the trade is made before you receive this letter it is all right because I shall not...

Scope and Contents Barrier writes to let his father know that he's arrived safely in Charleston and back on Sullivan's Island with his company. The enemy is fortifying Morris Island, but Barrier is confident that they will not take the city of Charleston: "General Beauregard is making James Island and Sullivan's Island a perfect Gibraltar. I feel perfectly satisfied as to the result of this siege." The enemy has been quiet since they were pushed back after the attack on Fort Sumter. Barrier intends to send a...

Scope and Contents

Barrier's letter seems to concern a labor dispute on his plantation with someone named Wiley Blackwelder. He assures his father that he and his company are in good health.

Scope and Contents

Barrier received a letter from his father moments after he'd written the above; his father's letter also concerned Wiley Blackwelder.

Scope and Contents

Barrier reports receiving his father's letter and is glad to hear that all is well back home. The horse trading has gone to his satisfaction. He is dismayed to hear of strife at home on the plantation. He requests food from home and commiserates with his father about the payment of the tithe tax, which is very high.

Scope and Contents

Barrier has left Charleston and returned to Kinston after traveling through terrible weather for five days. Barrier thanks his mother and father for their kindness in sending him boxes and food and things. He thinks that the regiment is likely to stay in the woods near Kinston and camp for the winter. He hopes that his parents will be able to come and visit. Three regiments of Barrier's brigade will move on to Weldon, North Carolina. Otherwise all is quiet.

Scope and Contents Barrier reports receiving his father's recent letter, conveyed to him by H. H. Moose. He says that they are still at Kinston and, though there are whispers of a move to Weldon, North Carolina, Barrier thinks that they are just rumors. Other rumors have it that Union General Benjamin Butler is advancing on their position, but Barrier doesn't believe this, either. Then he announces his intention to quit the regiment: "There was a vacancy in the office of major in this regiment to which place I...

Scope and Contents The regiment has moved north and is now camped on the outskirts of Petersburg, Virginia, "near the old race track on the eastern side of the city." Barrier writes that his regiment is in good health and that all is quiet. The country reminds him of home. He has news about a recent proclamation made by Abraham Lincoln: "Old Abe seems to be a little more lenient to the rebels than he was a year ago. He proposed to pardon all the rebels under the rank of Colonel and proposes to receive the...

Scope and Contents After receiving Mr. Cook's delivery of his father's letter, Barrier writes back: "There is no way for me to get redress by military law for the reason that they have brought no charges against me. But I am satisfied since receiving the correspondence it shows how deceptive and mean men can be when they have the power." Barrier has borrowed the money he requested from his father from another man, Wily Bangle; Barrier asks his father to repay Bangle's wife. He asks for leather to sole his...

Scope and Contents Barrier expresses his concern about news of pro-Union sentiment in North Carolina: "I understand from letters written home that there is a great union feeling exisiting in our noble county. That feeling is becoming so great that men even dare to advocate reconstruction boldly." He writes angrily and at length about William Woods Holden, owner and editor of the "damnable traitorous" North Carolina Standard, and reviews Holden's changing opinions...

Scope and Contents In response to his father's announcement that he would be sending men to join Co. H, Barrier writes that he has "as many men as [he wants], but if they make [his] company their choice, of course [he] cannot think of turning them off." He replies to his father's news about prices for goods: "Prices are awful as you state them in your letter. I tell you there will be a terrible crash in prices as soon as the confederate tax bill is published. I think it will certainly bring the currency to a...

Scope and Contents

Barrier writes to inform his father that he and his regiment are about to start an expedition toward Nansemond, Virginia and the James River in order to intercept enemy raiders in the area.

Scope and Contents

Barrier writes to inform his father that he and his regiment are about to go on an expedition toward Newbern, North Carolina. He adds that it would be against orders to disclose information about their numbers.

Scope and Contents

Barrier writes that his company are all well, despite a recent engagement (at Batchelder's Creek, 1 Febuary 1864). Col. Henry M. Shaw, who had commanded the 8th North Carolina since May 1861, died of a gunshot to the head. Another man was also killed. (One of the consequences of Shaw's death, not specifically mentioned in this or subsequent letters, was the promotion of Barrier to major, attached to regimental staff. Lt. Col. J. M. Whitson assumed command).

Scope and Contents "I dread to speak," says Barrier, "of the present condition of our country. It does seem to me that our people are mad with despondency and are determined to rush headlong to their own destruction. I am proud, dear Father, to be able to say that I have never desponded yet as to the final issues. I am determined by the help of God to fight to the last." He continues in this patriotic vein, exhorting the brave soldiers who fight for a noble cause while denouncing those who would sue for peace...

Scope and Contents Barrier begins his letter by discussing a disputed work contract; it seems he wanted a chest made for him in a certain way and its maker failed to follow instructions. He urges his father not to pay the craftsman until the chest is fixed right. Barrier and his regiment are back in their old camp. The rest of the letter concerns items he'd like made and money he'd liked loaned to him: "Send me one $150 if you can." Barrier wrote in his previous letter his reasons for wanting the money and...

Scope and Contents Barrier thanks his parents for their kindness and generosity, sending him so many good things and keeping him supplied over the course of the war. He writes that he has recently received his trunk, which his mother filled with cakes and biscuits, and that he'll be sending it back, empty, to his family so that his mother might fill it with potatoes or other vegetables; Barrier says he cannot get them where he's currently stationed. He is a little self-conscious: "But you will think I am...

Scope and Contents Barrier requests that his family return the military coat he'd sent home some time ago; the coat he has is too small and he traded it for some cloth to make a new coat. All is quiet at camp, but preparations are being made for the resumption of campaigning once the weather clears and maneuvers are again possible. Barrier believes that the next great battle will take place before Richmond. General Beauregard is to resume command of Barrier's regiment and the rest of the "department of N....

Scope and Contents

Barrier left Petersburg the previous day and arrived in Tarboro the day of his writing: "I do not know our destination but there is rumor that we are to march against Washington and Plymouth and perhaps Newbern. You may expect to hear of some lively times from this quarter very soon." He urges his father not to worry, as they are "expecting to move with a pretty large expedition."

Scope and Contents Barrier writes that the previous day, at about ten o'clock, enemy forces at Plymouth surrendered. "We captured (2,300) twenty three humdred prisoners with several hundred horses and about twenty pieces of artillery." Barrier knows only the losses in his own regiment: 100 wounded, 20 killed. He lists the killed and wounded in his old company (Co. H) by name on the second and third pages of the letter. "Plymouth was strongly fortified," he writes, "and required a desperate assault to carry the...

Scope and Contents Barrier writes at a moment of respite. His regiment has left Plymouth and marched to Washington, North Carolina and then to Greenville. "I do not know when we will move from this point," he says, because the gunboat they are traveling with has run aground in the Neuse River: "If we can get her off we will move on Newbern; if we cannot get the boat off the expedition will not be made." Barrier finds himself in need of a slave: "I cannot get one that will do to depend on. I have tried a couple...

Scope and Contents

Barrier writes to inform his father that the regiment will be receiving their mail from Tarboro, North Carolina. He reiterates his request for a slave.

Scope and Contents

Barrier is bound for Petersburg. He is greatly fatigued and has been "in the saddle" for 21 days. He reports that Washington, North Carolina has been evacuated by the enemy. The regiment had been about to march on Newbern, North Carolina when they received new orders to proceed to Virginia.

Scope and Contents 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...

Scope and Contents Barrier begins: "Since writing my last letter we have driven the enemy about two miles in the direction of Bermuda Hundred which is at the confluence of the James and Appomattox." He lists some of the casualties and reports that Maj. Gen. Hoke complimented the regiment on its bravery. Barrier says he has been "very unwell" for several days, but has remained in the field despite his illness. "The prospect of our cause," he writes, "is brightening every day, although we are called upon to...

Scope and Contents Barrier writes during a period of relative quiet: "We still have old Butler cooped up under his gun boats at Bermuda Hundred. We have had no fighting in this quarter since the 19th." He reports that all are well, cheerful, and hopeful that soon the war will be at an end. "We are so near the enemy," he says, "that our pickets talk to each other." Barrier says that, since they started the Plymouth campaign, his regiment has suffered 200 killed and wounded. As he is out of shirts, he asks his...

Scope and Contents "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...