These 24-pounder flank or "siege and garrison" howitzers were mainly used to defend the flanks of forts and were run by teams of three men. Fifty 24-pounder iron howitzers, divided into a pair of twenty-five piece lots, were purchased by the U.S. Ordnance Department from Cyrus Alger & Co. on August 28, 1863, (see "Purchases of cannon, ordnance, projectiles, and small-arms since April 13, 1861, by the Ordnance Department..." page 710), and the company sold over $2,600,000 to the government in April 20, 1861 - March 25, 1867. Several hundred of these howitzers were made in the 1840s-1860s and stationed at various forts around the country, and many remain on display at the forts and historic sites. The muzzle is marked "142" (registry number), "C.A. & Co." (Cyrus Alger & Co.) is on the right trunnion, and "7" on the left trunnion. "US" is marked on top near the trunnions. It is approximately 68 1/4 inches long, 19 1/2 inches wide at the trunnions, and the outer muzzle diameter is approximately 12 inches.