Does anyone know which type of howitzer was taken on the 1864 Marianna raid by the 2nd Maine Cav, Co. M? Are there any hints in the documentation of the raid, other raids, or the post? There are three basic configurations for 12-pounder field howitzers: Model 1841 12-pounder bronze howitzer (788 lbs) on the No. 1 carriage (900 lbs); Model 1841 12-pounder mountain howitzer (220 lbs) on prairie carriage (363 lbs), or mule pack (277 lbs). Special ammunition packs and/or a special carriage were used for the mountain howitzers.

I suspect those carried on the Marianna raid were very light 12-pounder mountain howitzers on prairie carriages. Steve Grizzell noted in his work about mountain howitzers that a battery of four mountain howitzers had been sent early in the war from New York to Fort Pickens to reinforce the place. The light pieces would be a natural choice for fast moving cavalry raids.

It was fairly common for single companies of expeditions (infantry or cavalry) to be armed with mountain howitzers like this--especially in the West and Trans-Mississippi. What is less clear is whether a given unit was using the pack mule system or prairie carriages. Prairie carriages would be swifter over flat terrain, but mules would be favored for cross country and mountain path travel. Mules are more durable in constitution, but less tolerant of gun/artillery fire. Pulling the load is more efficient than packing it on the animal's backs, if terrain permits.