This is likely a Confederate foundry, apparently operating with slave labor. The image shows men standing on the roof of the foundry, most of whom are wearing the leather aprons necessary for foundry work, and below. Spanish moss grows on the branches of the tree behind the building. These may be the only existing foundry photos with slaves working outdoors, perhaps taken in Texas. Conjectured foundries would be that of Alexander McGowan in Houston, located on Buffalo Bayou, or the J. H. Dance Revolver Foundry in East Columbia on the Brazos. Source: Lawrence T. Jones III.