Three days ago, at dusk, we began our second parallel line. The work was dangerous for we were within musket-range of the enemy, and two French soldiers were killed close by me. We dug all night and before the sun rose, we had a ditch wider than a man is tall and nearly four feet deep. The commanders were well pleased. Back at the camp I slept like the dead, not even disturbed by the boom of the cannons, nor could I be concerned whether ‘twere ours or the enemy’s.