_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] _March_ the 20th, the Wood began to be clear'd away before the great Gun Battery, and seven Pieces of Cannon were brought upon the Platforms. _March_ the 21st, nineteen Embrasures were finish'd, all the Cannon placed upon the Platforms, and the Wood was cut away, which cover'd the Battery from the View of the Castle. _March_ the 22d,[13] the Battery being finished, began early in the Morning to play upon the Castle, not only with the great Guns, but with forty small Mortars and Cohorns, which fired alternatively; the Enemy return'd the Fire very briskly from the Castle, the Fascine Battery, and the Shipping; but with no great Effect, excepting, that the Balls which miss'd the Battery, did some Damage in the Camp.