While a light field battery was made up of the M1841 6-pounder field gun and M1841 12-pounder howitzer, a heavy field battery was designed to be formed from four 12-pounder field guns and two 24-pounder howitzers. The US Army Model 1841 series artillery performed splendidly during the Mexican-American War, earning an excellent reputation for maneuverability and reliability. Aside from having superior guns, the American gunners had much better training. During the Battle of Monterrey on 21–24 September 1846, Zachary Taylor's army conducted an ineffectual bombardment of the Black Fort with two 24-pounder howitzers and one 10-inch mortar. During the Battle of Buena Vista on 22–23 February 1847, two 24-pounder howitzers and six companies of volunteers were left behind to garrison Saltillo.