_Oct. 2._--The works were so far finished in the course of the preceding night that the men worked in them this day with very little danger, although the enemy kept up an almost incessant fire from two pieces of artillery. A drummer, rather too curious in his observation, was this day killed with a cannon ball. _Oct. 3._--Last night four men of our regiment, detached with the first brigade, were unfortunately killed (on covering party) by one cannon ball; one of the men belonged to my own company (Smith), a loss I shall ever regret as he was, without exception, one of the finest men in the army. A militia man this day, possessed of more bravery than prudence, stood constantly on the parapet and d-- his soul if he would dodge for the balls. He had escaped longer than could have been expected, and, growing foolhardy, brandished his spade at every ball that was fired till, unfortunately, a ball came that put an end to his capers. This evening our brigade was ordered for an evening party, and in the course of the night a deserter went to the enemy, informing them of our situation, in consequence of which they directed a few shots our way, but did no harm. _Oct. 4._--This morning, on leaving the ground, the enemy were complaisant enough to favor us with a shot, but did no execution. Fatigues were continued in the works as usual, and suffered little or no harm. This day’s orders give us an account of Tarleton’s defeat on the Gloucester side on the 3d. He was attacked by Duke Leziome’s[9] legion and the militia grenadiers, commanded by Mercer. Tarleton lost 50 men, killed and wounded, the officer who commanded his infantry killed, and himself badly wounded, with very little loss on our side. _Oct. 5._--We had more firing from the enemy last night than any night since the commencement of the siege, but don’t learn that they did any other harm than delay the operation of the works. This day the regiment was employed in cutting and making fasseines, and a regiment from every brigade in the army ordered out for some extra fatigue duty this evening. _Oct. 6._--The parties did not go out, and nothing extraordinary happened this day.