March the 11th, the Negroes, Tools, and Tents being put on Shore; the 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]