These are rather interesting pieces. "Howitzer" appears to be a misnomer as they were enough calibers long to qualify as guns as best I can tell. "Howitzer" was sometimes used interchangeably in the reports referencing Woodruffs. It appears that this should be chalked up to imprecise wording of non-artillerist superiors rather than physical differences in the pieces themselves.

I think the Woodruffs might have been surprisingly useful (though limited) weapons for the Trans-Mississippi because of their extremely light weight and portability. They could be brought along on missions of very small forces. In the theater they were sometimes up against 12 pounder mountain howitzers which they outranged. So the 2 pounder might force the 12 pounder from position. Keep in mind that the little 2 pounder gun should be more accurate than the 12 pounder howitzer as well. I need to reread some of the O.R. accounts and Banasik's interpretation of their use in engagements leading to Prairie Grove. (This is on my "to do" list.)

Check the following for some discussion of the actual finds of the ammo. http://home.earthlink.net/~turnerbrigade/wdrfann1.htm

I suppose that lead was plentiful to the Union in Missouri. Moulding their own ammo seems a likely and simple expedient for these guns. It would greatly simplify their supply self sufficiency in otherwise remote regions when compared to other traditional ordnance.