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 was entiteled by rank and seniority in commission," he says, but "the place has been filled by an officer who is ten months my junior who has not as much claim to place as I have." Barrier thinks that "to do justice to himself," he ought to leave the regiment. He asks his father's advice and asks him to keep the matter in confidence.