March the 28th, Harrison's and Wentworth's Regiments, being order'd to strike their Tents, and to go on board their Transports, were prevented by the Surge of the Sea, and obliged to pitch them again near the Walls of the Castle. The Weymouth, and the Cruizer Sloop, were sent to demolish two little Batteries on the Passa-Cavallos,[18] which they performed without Opposition, and likewise seized or destroyed such small Craft, as they found upon the Lagoon.
March the 29th, the two old Regiments, and some of the Stores, were put on board. All the Artillery and the Materials, which had been employed for erecting the great Battery, were placed upon the Shore in Readiness for Embarkation.
March the 30th, Colonels Wolfe and Robinson's Regiments embark'd, and all possible Diligence was used in getting on board the Stores and Artillery.
A general Council of War was held on board the Admiral's Ship, wherein it was resolved to land the troops as soon as should be practicable, "for the cutting off the Communication of the Town with the Country on the Land Side; and that the Artillery should be embark'd with all possible Expedition to proceed after them." It was also resolved, "that such Numbers of Soldiers, as the General should judge would be wanting for that Service, should be landed from the Fleet."
The Council of War, on this Occasion, might probably think it unnecessary to make any mention of what Share the King's Ships were to take in the Attack of the City, as it is believed, that not one of the Members could have the least Room to doubt of the Admiral's ordering in some large Men of War to batter the Town, as soon as the Channel should be laid open for their Admittance into the Surgidero; a Circumstance so much taken for granted, before we were in Possession of Boca-Chica Castle, that it was confidently affirmed (and by no inconsiderable Persons in the Navy) "that, after a Way should be laid open for the Ships into the Harbour, the Assistance of the Land Forces would be no longer wanted." The Russel, which had on board Sir Chaloner Ogle; the Weymouth, &c. turn'd up the Harbour, and cast Anchor not far from Castillo Grande.
March the 31st, Colonels Lowther and Wynyard's Regiments embark'd. The Cannon and Stores continued to be put on board.
The Enemy seem'd to prepare for a vigorous Defence, by their having sunk the seven Galleons in the Channel leading to the Surgidero, and moor'd two large Men of War at the Entrance of it, which last having been likewise sunk during the Night, and Castillo Grande in all Appearance abandoned; Sir Chaloner Ogle order'd Captain Knowles, in the Weymouth, to stand in within Gun-shot, and to fire upon it; which being done for some time, without any Return, Boats were sent ashore, and the Castle was enter'd without Opposition; of which the Admiral having Notice, he order'd one hundred of the Soldiers, who were on board the King's Ships to remain there in Garrison.[19]
Capt. Laws was dispatched to England in the Spence Sloop, with an Account of the taking of Boca-Chica Castle; notwithstanding the Instances used by both the General, and Sir Chaloner Ogle, to postpone sending, till it should be known, what would be the Success against the City; which, considering the Strength of the Enemy, that our Troops began to sicken, and that the rainy Season was then begun; could by no thinking Man be look'd upon to be otherwise, than doubtful.
April the 1st, Colonels Moreton, and Grant's Regiments embarked. Captains Griffin and Renton being sent to reconnoitre the Channel; and observing that the Stern of the Conquestador was afloat, they found Means to heave her round, and thereby opened a Passage for the Bomb-Vessels, and two twenty Gun-Ships. The Transports got through the Channel, and began to move up the Lagoon, but the Ordnance Ships still remained at the Entrance into the Harbour, the Artillery and the Stores being not yet all put on board.