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Barrier describes his arrival at and early days in camp; most everyone is in good health and good spirits. He comments on the "two sermons preached us on Sunday," one in camp, one in the town of Ashville itself, saying "our camp appears more like a religious than a military camp." He describes the organization of his company, which has been divided into six squads; he has been elected drillmaster of the first squad.

Scope and Contents Barrier writes first of the general health of his camp, noting that there is only some sickness and that one man is expected to die. He then refers to his father's (apparently recent) visit to the camp, noting that "since you were here we have been getting along as well if not better than before," and urging him not to believe any news to the contrary. He notes too that his Uncle David is visiting and promises to send back with his uncle his measurements for a new pair of boots and a new...

Scope and Contents Barrier writes that his regiment is soon to depart the camp for Virginia: "Three cheers went up for our Colonel, three for the Major, & three for our departure for Virginia." He requests that he be sent "two checked marsails shirts," saying that the shirts available in camp are badly made. He writes "for the first time, our regiment will be thrown together in one body (that is on horse). I think it will make quite a grand appearance." He refers to news of his brother's relapse into...

Scope and Contents Barrier describes his regiment's departure from Camp Beauregard. The regiment traveled through the Virginia cities of Petersburg and Richmond on the way to Centreville. They were warmly received in Petersburg: "Petersburg is a fine place and the people look well to the interest of soldiers." In Richmond, after camping for five days, the regiment was reviewed before "the great Hero of the South," Jefferson Davis. Barrier was on guard duty, however, and missed his opportunity to see Davis....

Scope and Contents Barrier reports that his health, and the health of his regiment, is good; there are few serious cases among the other men, and all the "Mt. Pleasant boys" are in good condition. Notes that reported deaths in the company are false. "We have plenty to eat," he writes, adding that "I state this as a fact because I have understood that it is reported at home that we do not get enough." He provides details of a fight on the 26th of November in which members of Co. F, including himself, were...

Scope and Contents Barrier wonders why he hasn't received a letter from his father. He reports good health for himself and, on the whole, for the regiment; while a number of men have died from sickness, none of the men in Barrier's company have succumbed: "Truly it may be said that Providence has very much favored our company." There is little war news of interest: "The grand battle that was expected is no longer looked for," and the regiment is about to remove itself to the vicinity of Manassas for the...

Scope and Contents Barrier assures his father that he is in good health, and that he actually weighs five pounds more than he has ever weighed before. He is busy these days; he's been filling in for his orderly sergeant, who is sick. Many men have the mumps, Barrier says, though none are critically ill. Enclosed with the letter were a pen knife and some candy for Luther Moose, his nephew. He reports receiving a letter from Rufus, his brother, dated 23 January 1862, stating that he and his regiment were well,...

Scope and Contents Barrier recounts his brigade's withdrawal from winter camp near Manassas to Lenoir County, North Carolina, writing from the new encampment near Kinston. Ransom has been promoted to brigadier general, with command of a brigade attached to the Department of North Carolina. Barrier reports that, in comparison with the 2nd North Carolina Cavalry, he is "almost discouraged about our horses," and he requests that his father send him a new mount, "regardless of the cost," for "the State will pay a...

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Barrier has enclosed $180 as partial payment for his new horse, which is working out well. He has little news of interest to report. He and his cousins are well and the regiment is to move to Petersburg within the next few days.

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Barrier writes his brother, Rufus, to let him know of his health and general whereabouts. The regiment has just arrived in Petersburg and will set out soon for Richmond: "[F]ighting has been going at Richmond for several days, and is supposed to be still going on. Old Stonewall is just raking in the Yankeys." He closes by urging Rufus to write him at Richmond.

Scope and Contents Barrier confirms his receipt of his father's letter only the day before, "the first time that I have heard from home since I left there," and reports that he has not received Rufus's recent letter. Though Barrier was unwell when he last wrote his father, his condition has improved and he is, along with most of his regiment, in good health. He notes the death of Edward Hill, a member of his company; Hill passed away in hospital in Kinston. While his regiment has been out on picket duty for...

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Barrier writes that all are cheerful and all is well as they make their way through Maryland. He reports that the Second Battle of Bull Run (29-30 August 1862) was a great victory, and that the Confederate army also enjoyed a recent victory in Kentucky (at Richmond, 29-30 August). He reports good health for himself and his regiment and that a man named John Pharr (Cpl. John M. Pharr, Co. F) was killed.

Scope and Contents Barrier writes that he and the regiment fought at the Battle of Sharpsburg (Antietam) in Maryland (17 September 1862), but provides few details. "It's considered one of the big fights of the War. Our loss was pretty great but the enemie's was doubtless much greater." The regiment has lost several men, wounded or missing. There is a scarcity of food, but the regiment and Barrier himself are in generally good health. However, Barrier says "I am sorry to say that our Regiment is going to sticks...

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Barrier has little to report. He asks for a coat, a pair of pants, a captain's hat, a pair of boots, 2 flannel shirts, 2 pairs of woolen slips, 2 blankets, and 2 pairs of socks from home.

Scope and Contents At the time of writing, Barrier's brigade was guarding Kelly's Ford on the Rapidan River. Barrier acknowledges the receipt of the clothing he'd requested in his previous letter. He wishes his family could visit him at camp for Christmas. He likewise wishes he could report that all the soldiers were as comfortably clothed as he, but acknowledges that many of his fellows are barefoot and without good clothes. With respect to the war, he says that, a few weeks ago, General Hampton went out with...

Scope and Contents Barrier acknowledges receipt of news from home; he wishes, as they do, that he could be at home with them. He says, though, that there is one way he could "enjoy a few days" with his family: "An order was read this morning on paraid that every soldier who would furnish a recruit for the army should have a furlough of thirty days? Can you find anyone who would like to join the cavalry? If so send me his name immediately." He urges his family to conduct a thorough survey of the available men:...

Scope and Contents Barrier writes that he has not heard from his family in some time, and hopes that they will write soon. He reassures his father that all is well and that his health is good, along with the health of his company and, indeed, the regiment. He describes their current whereabouts—six miles south by east of Culpeper Court House—and the various forms of tent or habitation in camp. He himself is in a mess of 20, whose living situation and routines he describes in some detail. Barrier has sent $80...

Scope and Contents Responding to his father's account of the "Extortioners of Mt. Pleasant," Barrier writes: "The man who shelters himself behind a tanyard or elsewhere when his country needs his service is most assuredly unworthy of the name of a Confederate citizen and is devoid of patriotism. And whoever extorts upon a poor soldier or a soldier's family when he is exposed to the dangers of a cruel war in the defense of Liberty, and in the protection of his home, should be branded as an enemy to his country...

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Barrier begins by assuring his father that all is well and that he and his regiment are comfortably situated near the abandoned Milford Station. He bids his father to come visit and asks him to bring something good to eat. He also asks for a water bucket and other things. He asks if his father has "found him a recruit yet," another man for the company, which would earn Barrier a furlough.

Scope and Contents Barrier is back with the regiment after a visit home to Cabarrus County. He reports good health for himself and his company; they have enough to eat, "but rather a scant allowance for [the] horses." He says he sold the "little sorrell pony" he brought from home for $200, $150 of which he will send to Mathias soon. He has refused an offer of $400 for "my Filly," also brought from home. In a postscript he reports that he heard from Daniel Moose just a few days prior and that he is in good...

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Barrier has been away from the regiment on horse detail, and is now returned. He can get a "very good government horse" to ride, "so [he has] concluded to make [himself] easy on the horse question for this season." He continues: "There is no chance to get my filly and it is probably best to leave her where she is and let the government feed her." His health, and the health of the regiment, is good. They expect to move on soon, perhaps across the Potomac.

Scope and Contents Barrier has received his father's letter, courtesy of Mr. Scott, and is particularly glad to hear that Rufus is doing well, as he hasn't written to William since he left Wilmington. Barrier reports that, reports and rumors to the contrary, Rufus's regiment likely gets just as much to eat as William's. He is saddened to hear that Rufus has lost six men since he went to Charleston: "Such is the fate of many poor soldiers." War news from all over seems to be favorable, and "a fight is daily...

Scope and Contents Barrier confirms receipt of his father's "kind favor of the 17th." He is glad to learn that Rufus's company is in such good health, though he is saddened to hear of some losses among the men: "Such is the fate of camp life." He writes that, while there have been rumors of action to the west, he hopes that they are unfounded, because the last Fredericksburg fight (the battle of Chancellorsville, 2 May 1863) was "very hard," and "many a brave boy fell there," even if the Confederates were...

Scope and Contents Barrier's regiment left Hanover Junction on 29 May for Culpeper County (to prepare for the march northward into Pennsylvania). On 9 June he and the regiment were involved in a large-scale cavalry engagment at Brandy Station, when Union troopers crossed the Rappahannock and attacked. Fighting continued throughout the day; Barrier reports that his regiment acquitted itself well, though they did suffer some casualties, including the captain of Co. F, who was shot in the mouth. "Our company...

Scope and Contents Barrier recounts "the grandest raid of the war," the Gettysburg campaign. Though suffering from "a pretty sore head from a sabre cut," he is still "in the land of the living" and doing well. Within a few days of the battle of Brandy Station the regiment had decamped, crossed the Rappahannock River, and marched toward Warrenton, where they remained for two days. While there they had a brief encounter with enemy scouts. They marched to New Baltimore, Virginia and then to Upperville, where, on...

Scope and Contents Writing nearly four months after the previous letter, Barrier notes that he is just arrived back at camp. His neck is sore but improving, and his head is nearly healed; "I think that I will be all right in a few days more." Most of Co. F is currently out hunting down deserters. Barrier reports that Brig. Gen. James B. Gordon is now in command of the brigade, and Maj. Rufus Barringer is in command of the regiment. Most of Lee's army, says Barrier, is camped around Brandy Station, where "they...

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Since Barrier's last letter he and the regiment have been on the move, as the army has fallen back across the Rapidan River. Sgt. William Fitzgerald of Co. F has been elected 2nd lieutenant. There are about fifty men fit for duty in the company. Barrier's head is healing nicely; his neck is still a little sore. Maj. Gen. Wade Hampton has returned to his division. Barrier expects that any day the army will recross the Rapidan.

Scope and Contents Part of the regiment, including Co. F, is currently on picket duty along the Rapidan, some 30 miles from camp. Barrier and Sgt. William D. Anthony have built a cabin with a tent ply roof and a chimney: "I should like to remain here awhile to enjoy the good of our labor." The regiment has seen some significant action over the previous month (in the Mine Run campaign), and suffered several casualties. Barrier himself was nearly captured. He concludes the letter with talk of his speculation in...

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Barrier reports that his health is good and that his head is entirely well once more. Along with his letter Barrier includes a pair of shoes, a pair of socks, and two powder flasks, all gifts for people back home; the socks and shoes he does not need. He writes, "If you have not disposed of Hector, I want you to hold onto him for a while. My filly is still back on the dead line and I understand she is not doing very well." In closing, he wishes his family a happy new year.

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Barrier sends along with his letter a pair of shoes: "I guess I will not need them as I prefer boots for this service." He also sends his mother a pipe of his own crafting. He requests that his family send him some of his dental equipment, forceps for the pulling of various kinds of teeth and other implements, and that they have a leather case made for their transport.