lf miles from the batteries. At
midnight it fell calm. I sent the bomb vessels, under the
protection of the gunboats, to bombard the town; the boats of the
squadron were employed in towing them in. At two A.M. the
bombardment commenced, and continued until daylight, but with
what effect is uncertain. At six all the boats joined us, and
were taken in tow by the squadron, which was under weigh and
standing off. At seven, anchored four miles north of the town.
The weather for several days, proved unfavourable for approaching
the shore.

_August 28th._ We were favoured with a pleasant breeze from the
eastward; at three P.M. we weighed, and stood in for Tripoli; at
five, anchored the Constitution, two miles north by east from
Fort English, and two miles and a half from the Bashaw's castle;
the light vessels ordered to keep under way; we were employed
until eight P.M. in making arrangements for attacking the town;
a number of the officers, and many of the seamen, of the
Constitution being attached to the bomb, gun and ship's boats;
Captain Chauncey, with several of his officers, and about seventy
seamen and marines, volunteered their services on board the
Constitution. All the boats in the squadron were officered and
manned, and attached to the several gunboats. The two bomb
vessels could not be brought into action, as one was leaky and
the mortar-bed of the other had given way. The John Adams,
Scourge, transports and bombs, were anchored seven miles to the
northward of the town. Lieutenant Commander Dent, of the Scourge,
came on board the Constitution, and took charge on the gun-deck.
Lieutenant Izard, of the Scourge, also joined me. Lieutenant
Gordon commands gunboat No. 2, and Lieutenant Lawrence, of the
Enterprize, No. 5; these are the only changes. At half past one,
A.M., the gunboats, in two divisions, led by Captains Decatur
and Somers, were ordered to advance and take their stations close
to the rocks at the entrance of the harbour, within grape-shot
distance of the Bashaw's castle. The Syren, Argus, Vixen,
Nautilus, Enterprize, and boats of the squadron accompanied them.
At three, A.M., the boats anchored with springs on, within
pistol shot of the rocks, and commenced a brisk fire on the
shipping, town, batteries, and Bashaw's castle,