It was contended further that the flagship would be the special target of the enemy, a fact that was likely to cripple her and prevent the employment of the all-important signals.

The last argument bore no weight with Farragut, who replied that she would be the chief target anyway, no matter what the position, and exposure to fire was one of the penalties of rank in the navy.

The monitors were to advance in single file, slightly in advance of the wooden ships, the _Tecumseh_, Commander Tunis A.M.
Craven, in the lead.
[Illustration: IN MOBILE BAY.] In this order the slow advance was begun and at a few minutes past seven the _Tecumseh_ fired the first gun.

The forts waited twenty minutes when they replied, and the _Brooklyn_ responded with two 100-pounder Parrot rifles.

Under the protection of Fort Morgan nestled the Confederate rams and ironclads, which directed their fire principally at the wooden vessels.