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the nerves is of a most unpleasant and exciting character. It is by no means agreeable to a man's feelings, or productive of pleasurable sensations, to have the air cut asunder about once every minute with the diabolical scream of a murderous shell, especially when the enemy's range is so accurate that 8 our of every 10 burst immediately over and around us. All last night we worked in throwing up entrenchments, which will shield us a good deal to-day. I have been sitting here about 10 minutes, and already one shell has burst squarely against the works, throwing the earth in all directions, but fortunately injuring nobody, while a solid shot (12 pounder) which a minute since richochetted over the breast-works is being handed round among the boys for inspection. But this constant alertness of mind and body, coupled with want of sleep, is telling upon the army, and telling on me too. To be sure we have the