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Ed Stamps-
The Master
of Pyrotechnics
$10.00
Over 50 aerial charges
were discharged
during the two battles!
Jerry Vest preparing
the powder.
"Each
of the 100 ground
charges that were
discharged contained
about -6-8oz. of
black powder"
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Behind the Scenes
"Dramatic Pyrotechnics Enhance Weekends' Battles"
(Story and Photos by Ruben Gusman)
What would the Battle of Carthage be like without something
blowing up, burning or being shot in the air? For longer than he can remember, Ed Stamps of Garden City,
Missouri has been lighting it up for the spectators and reenactors at the Battle of Carthage Reenactment Event.
Occurring every three years, the event has been known for it's dramatic special effects. The 2003 event was no exception and
the battles as usual were enhanced greatly and made more dramatic for everyone.
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| Explosive Charges Simulate Artillery Dual Between Opposing Batteries |
A veteran of movie magic, Ed Stamps has worked on several big screen
motion pictures. The impressive list includes, "Gettysburg", "Glory", "Gods and Generals", "North and South" and many others.
Ed has also rigged up his fireworks for many national reenactment events throughout the country. Assisted by Jerry Vest, Sam
Coody and other reenactors, the pyrotechnics at Carthage went on without a glitch. Or at least for the most part. "I tried
using a remote control device to set off the charges but that didn't seem to want to work" Switching to manual control, Ed
carefully set off the explosions from a camouflaged, hidden location in a ditch in the center of the battlefield. (See Photos
Below)
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| Hidden from the view of the spectators, Ed was able to work his tricks out of plain view |
Ed had to keep his eyes on the battlefield at all times making sure that
no one was too close to ground zero. No one got hurt so the timing was perfect. Ed told us how careful they must be. "We
really have to watch it out there, not only for the men but the horses as well. The Humane Society and other animal rights
groups would be all over us if we ever injured a horse or other animal!"
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| THE BIG BANG! |
Previous Carthage events have featured wagons, small buildings, and tents
going up in smoke. The 2003 event once again featured the small tent positioned in the center of the battlefield. (see above
photos) View other photos in the galleries to see how the burning tent made the battle scenes more dramatic. Soldiers
got close enough to feel the heat from the flames and the effect was a real crowd pleaser.
We asked Ed if he will be back in 2006 to do it all over again. "I don't know for
sure, this may have been my last year-we'll just have to wait and see..." In any event we all appreciate the hard and
dangerous work that Ed and his crew of helpers did to make the 2003 Carthage event one of it's best ever, Thanks guys!
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