A Journal of the Expedition to Carthagena, with Notes In Answer to a Late Pamphlet Entitled, An account of the Expedition to Carthagena — Reading Notes

Ground was clear'd, the Tents pitch'd, and the Troops under cover the same Evening.[5]

Two Coupures or Lines were begun into the Woods; one for cutting off the Communication of the Castle of _Boca-Chica_ with the City, the other for opening a way to the Skirts of the Wood, for the erecting a Battery; which last was this Day advanced 500 Yards.

Mr. _Moor_, the principal Engineer, landed in the Night; the Ordnance Ship, on which he was embarked, having been drove to _Leeward_.

_March_ the 12th, a Mortar Battery was begun, between the Forts St. _Phillip_ and St. _Jago_; and the Coupure leading to the Castle, was carried on to the Skirts of the Wood, but that for cutting off the Communication, was discontinued by the Advice of the principal Engineer.[6]

All the Negroes, and as many Soldiers as could be spared, from their other Duty, were employed in cutting Fascines and Pickets. A Traverse was raised in the Coupure leading to _Boca-Chica_, and an Epaulement was thrown up for the covering the Workmen, which were to be employed in raising the great Gun-Battery.

_March_ the 13th, A Defence was made of Casks filled with Sand, to cover the Mortar Battery from the Enemy's Fire; this Evening, (not the 17th, as the Author is pleased to alledge, Page the 10th,) it was finished, and began to play upon the Castle.[7]

The Bomb-Ketches likewise continued to throw their Shells, and it was observed that _several_ of them did not take place in the Castle. The Ground was traced out for the great Gun-Battery.[8]

The Coupure leading to the Castle of _Boca-Chica_, was enlarged. A Lieutenant Colonel's Guard was mounted to cover the Workmen to be employed on the great Gun-Battery.

The Enemy fired very smartly, both Yesterday and this Day, and killed several Men in the Camp.[9]

_March_ the 14th, the Works were carried on with all the Expedition our Circumstances would admit of; but were much retarded, not only from the Heat of the Climate, which renders _Europeans_ almost unable to support the least Fatigue, but from the Negroes throwing down their Loads, and working Tools, whenever a Shot came near them. These Difficulties having been represented to a Council of War by the principal Engineer, signifying at the same time, that an Addition of 1600 Men to the Forces then on Shore was wanting, to enable him to push on his Works with Vigour, a Demand was made of that Number of Soldiers to be landed from the Fleet, which the Admiral was pleased to refuse, alledging, that we could have no Occasion for them.

_March_ the 15th, the General, accompany'd by Mr. _Moor_ and Capt. _Knowles_ view'd the Works at the great Gun Battery, and passed the Skirts of the Wood to reconnoitre the Castle, which had then received little or no visible Damage from the Shells.

_March_ the 16th, all possible Diligence was used in cutting Fascines, sharpening Pickets, preparing Planks and timbers _&c._ for the Battery. The Artillery, and the greatest Part of the Stores, were by this Time landed,[10] of which Part was carried to the great Gun Battery.

_March_ the 17th, the Parapet of the great Gun Battery was very near raised to the Embrasures.

A Representation was made to the Admiral from a Council of War of Land Officers, of the Necessity of driving the Enemy from their Fascine Battery, which, as it was seated on the other Side the Entry into the Harbour, could not be done without the Assistance of the Fleet, otherwise the Attack upon it would have been made by a Detachment from the Land Forces on Shore.

The same Day, it was resolved in a Council of War, composed of Sea Officers, to make an Attempt on the Fascine Battery with three hundred Sailors, and _two hundred Soldiers_, detach'd from those remaining on board the Fleet.

_March_ the 18th, several of the Cannon were drawn up to the Battery, and mounted upon their Carriages.

The Enemy, having discovered our Workmen, began to fire briskly upon them from the Castle, with Stones, _&c._ A Party of the Enemy fired upon the Negroes, who were employed in the Woods in cutting Fascines; but did no other Damage than the interrupting their Work.

During the Night, the Fascine Battery was attack'd by 300 Sailors, and 200 Soldiers, who possessed themselves of it, with very little Opposition.[11]

_March_ the 19th, an Epaulement was raised to the left of the great Gun Battery, to cover it from the Fire of the Enemy's Ships of War; twelve of the Platforms were finished. The Enemy were perceived to be at Work in repairing the _Barradera_ Battery.[12]