Among my reenactment photo friends, there’s an unspoken rule: if there’s a cannon at the event, it’s only truly successful if we capture at least one good blast. At the recent Battle of Chadds Ford, I was fortunate to get more than a few—several excellent shots, in fact. One friend mentioned before heading out that he’d managed to catch five solid blasts in a row. I hadn’t checked my own photos until I got home—and I was amazed at how many great ones I had too.

This event is the closest to home for me, just a 20-minute drive away. The day couldn’t have been better: temperatures in the high 70s, clear skies, and a great turnout. I reconnected with many old friends and met some new faces as well.

The event commemorates the Battle of Brandywine, considered the largest battle of the American Revolutionary War in terms of geographic area—spanning roughly 10 square miles (approximately 35,000 acres). Despite George Washington’s defensive positioning along Brandywine Creek, General Howe executed a successful flanking maneuver, overwhelming the American forces and forcing a retreat. The outcome mirrored Washington’s earlier defeat at the Battle of Long Island in 1776. It was also one of the most protracted single-day battles of the war, with 11 hours of continuous fighting.

What fascinates me most is how no two cannon blasts ever look the same. Each has its own character—its own shape, energy, and timing. As I often do, I zoom in tight to catch the flame at the moment of ignition—that fiery burst that makes each photo feel alive.

Sometimes the smoke from the cannon blasts is so thick it blots out everything around it. But if you look closely, in the middle of the frame, above the cannon fire, you can make out my friend Noah Lewis, wearing his signature three-cornered hat adorned with a red feather. He portrays Ned Hector, a Black Revolutionary War hero whose story deserves far more recognition than history has often granted.

I had the honor of interviewing Noah back in April 2022 for a blog post. His mission, as shared on his website, resonates deeply:

"I am blessed to have the opportunity to continue with this tribute, and to aid in helping others to appreciate the contribution we Black people made to the freedom of all Americans. There is a part of me that hopes the souls of these amazing contributors to our freedom will rest more peaceful by giving them the honor they were denied for so many years."

At this recent reenactment event, Noah shared exciting news—his book is in the process of being published! I can't wait to read it and see how he brings Ned Hector's legacy to life. 

With all the smoke from these cannon blasts, the colors in each shot become beautifully muted and distinct—no two images ever look the same. That unpredictability is what makes photographing these moments so exciting. When I hold down the shutter button, my camera captures up to 10 frames per second, giving me a burst of opportunities to catch something remarkable. After years of practice, I’ve learned how to anticipate the perfect moment, and more often than not, I walk away with a shot that truly stands out.

This cannon was a 3-pounder, also nicknamed "grasshoppers, " a lightweight, highly mobile artillery piece used during the 18th century, particularly in the American Revolutionary War. Weighing around 300 pounds and firing a 3-pound solid shot, this bronze smoothbore gun was prized for its maneuverability, especially in rough terrain like that of the American frontier.

Its distinctive nickname came from the way its handspikes jutted out from the carriage, resembling insect legs, and from its tendency to "hop" backward from recoil when fired. Operated by a small crew, it could be repositioned and reloaded quickly, making it ideal for close infantry support. 

This photo stands out as one of the best cannon blast captures I’ve taken, clearly showing the full reach of the flame. Years ago, an artilleryman told me that my images revealed just how far the blasts actually travel—something they hadn’t fully realized before. In fact, my photos prompted them to revise some of their safety procedures to better account for the power of the blasts. It was gratifying to know that my work not only documented history but also contributed to making reenactments safer for everyone involved.

Click here for here for Battle at Chadds Ford 2025 Photo Gallery.

Thank you for reading! Blog #98 will be posted on November 1, 2025. Be safe & well!

Huzzah,

Ken Bohrer