In view of the fact that the greatest weakness of the howitzers lay in the trunnions, and since surviving examples of the light howitzers bear two different trunnion diameters, it is logical to believe that the last four pieces cast in 1792 had the heavier, though still insufficient, trunnions. Following the entry of the four howitzers, and two carriages for same, there is under the same date an item of $11.00 for "lettering howitzer carriages & painting covers." Another entry mentions "white lead and Prussion[sic] blue for carriages," but since the term carriage was generally used at that time in reference to anything with wheels, it is not certain that this paint was used on the 2 3/4-inch howitzer carriages. The most complete account of the trials of the light howitzers is found in a letter General Wayne wrote to the Secretary of War on 15 January 1793. Here, too, is the first reference to the heavier type: The Gentlemen of the Artillery have uniformly been out of temper with the little howitz -- in fact the trunnions have generally give way -- being(?) no proper proportion to the Caliber --& the metal of an improper & infamous quality -- were those pieces one third heavier with iron & every thing in due proportion -- they wou'd be superior to any other kind of Ordnance yet invented for the Nature of our service. I must therefore request that you will think of this business & order Sixteen more of the proper Construction & proportions[--] let the piece be Sixty pounds weight in place of 37 or 39--& the Irons &c in proportion so the ... Carriage & all complete may weigh from 212 to 224 lbs net which will not be too heavy for a pack horse: From your letter of the 5th Instant I shou'd suppose that Colo. Procter must be at or near Pittsburgh its proper that he shou'd be a witness of the defects of those pieces--it wou'd appear that in proving them, they were placed in the ground dismounted therefore neither the Carriages or trunnions had any trial, otherwise the trunnions wou'd most certainly have given way -- for they actually will not bear 4 Ounces of powder with a single three pound shot -- this has been fully proved yesterday -- heretofore they were only fired with powder except those sent to Philadelphia disabled last summer one of which gave way in the same manner with about the same quantity of powder & a single three pound shot. I really feel interested in having those pieces replaced but let them be tried in Phila. before they are sent forward ...15 Regarding carriages for the howitzers, all that is known is that they were a type of wheeled carriage. The first carriages were too lightly ironed,16 and experiments were going on from time to time in an effort to improve them. Wayne, writing to Knox again from Legion Ville on 31 January, tells of Colonel Procter's work with the carriages: In the interim the Colonel is interestedly engaged in making some improvements upon the new carriage for one of the Howitz--that remains fit for tender use--& I have not a single doubt, but that he will produce a conviction to the Artillery Gentlemen -- that those kind of pieces are the best calculated for our present service than any that have heretofore been invented; they only want -- a proper reenforce & a proportional trunnion, with a small alteration in the Carriage to render them very complete!17 Three weeks later, at the request of Knox, Wayne submitted a report discussing the defects of the howitzers. This report has not been found, but on the same date, Wayne requested that the Secretary order sixteen new howitzers, of the same caliber18 but of a new design, "agreeable to the enclosed proportions." This plan has not been found either, but from examination of existing pieces, it is obvious that it must have showed a design like that of the heavier howitzers. Wayne's fondness19 for the little howitzers, which by now he was affectionately calling his "Flying Howitzers," was again evidenced by his statement that they were "the only kind of Artillery than[sic] can be transported with ease & used with effect against savages in a Mountainous Country cover'd with Wood & without the benefit of Roads."20 Numerous bits of correspondence dated early in March mention the new lot of howitzers to be cast, yet they shed little light on the matter. They do make clear the fact that Colonel Procter was much involved with the howitzers, and was probably more familiar with their use and construction than any other person. Wayne wished that Procter could be in Philadelphia with Knox "in order to superintend & expedite the Casting & marking (?) the improved howitzers,"21 and he informed Knox that Procter could give him any necessary information that was needed respecting them. The Colonel, in the meantime was instructing the young, inexperienced artillery officers in the use of the howitzers, and in the work of the Ordnance Laboratory, where they were preparing the shells and portfires.22 On 9 March an entry was made in the quartermaster record book estimating the cost of the 16 new howitzers at 144 pounds, and the cost of 16 carriages at exactly the same figure.23 It seems unlikely that the cost of a tube should equal exactly the cost of the carriage. Possibly the clerk entering the items received only a total figure, as seen on the first lot of cannon, and wanting to show two separate items, divided the total in half.

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