He knew that the defences were being strengthened every day and repeatedly urged that he be furnished with the means of making an immediate assault.

But the ill-advised and disastrous expedition of Banks up the Red River took away the available troops and the appeal of Farragut remained unheeded until the summer was well advanced.
By that time the defences of Mobile were well nigh impregnable.

Fort Gaines, on Dauphin Island, had a garrison of 864 men and mounted three 10-inch columbiads, four 32-pounder rifled guns and twenty smoothbore guns of 32, 24 and 18-pound calibres.

The principal pass to Mississippi Sound was commanded by Fort Powell, with one mounted 10-inch gun, one 8-inch columbiad and four rifled guns.

The main fortification was Fort Morgan, whose heavy guns were placed in three tiers.