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September 11, 2001

Posted in Historical on September 11, 2011| Leave a Comment »

  

My flag proudly waving in the breeze.

     For me, the day was just like so many others on that September morning. I was the sign foreman for the Armstrong County, Pennsylvania  department of transportation. The job of the day was to transport some barricades and signs to a bridge closing site near the small community of Edmon, Pennsylvania. We didn’t know what we would be hearing in a short time.

Bill, the fellow with me in the pick up, was the sign man for the county. Another crew member, Jack was following in another pick up with additional signing.  Bill and I were engaged in our usual chatter for most of the trip to the southern area of the county. Eventually, I reached over and turned the radio on to hear words about a plane striking into the World Trade Tower.

I listened in amazement, thinking how would a plane fly into a building like that. I thought of terrorism, but the thought wasn’t a lingering one at this moment.  Suddenly, words came across of a second plane hitting the second tower! I remember saying, at that time, we are under attack!

We reached the bridge site where the bridge crew was involved in preliminary work. We all listened with disbelief at to what we were hearing. After a time, we unloaded the materials and headed back to Kittanning. Many people were viewing sites on a small television at the county “shed”.  All were silent in unbelief as to what was happening. Of course, by this time the Pentagon had been hit and the Flight 93 plane came down near Shanksville.

The evening proved to be much like the day. I, as well as most Americans, were glued to the television watching intently as intelligence became known.

Today, I watched some television of the history of that tragic day. (Ten Years!) The hurt and tears are still present especially as I watched the terror and pain of those people of that day!

God bless America and forgive us as to how we have allowed this great nation to drift away from our core traditions and beliefs.

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Gettysburg Visit

Posted in Historical, My Family on September 4, 2011| Leave a Comment »

  

Sherfy barn and fencing at Emmitsburg Road

      

63rd PVI Memorial (photo -Slim Bowser)

 Friday, September 2, my friend, Robert “Slim” Bowser and myself headed to that great place known as Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. The reasons for our visit were varied. We stopped by some businesses to present viewings of the print, “The Wheatfield-Whirlpool of Death”.  We discussed options with a business that specializes in shirts and sweat-shirts. We are waiting for his numbers for production of shirts. (This will take about a week.)

View my ancestor would have seen

   I had the opportunity to meet, and have lunch with, a fine gentleman named Mike Smith. He, like Slim, is a Civil War historian. He portrays General Buford who was engaged in that great conflict of Gettysburg.

One of my personal highlights was visiting and studying the site where my ancestor, Simon Blystone fought  on July 2nd, 1863.  He was with Company G of the 63rd Pennsylvania. For those of you familiar with the battle field  he was west of the Emmitsburg Road and the Peach Orchard and near the Sherfy buildings. Here they erected a breastwork of rail fences for defense. After fierce fighting they were eventually pulled back due to running low of ammunition. This may have been one factor of my ancestor’s life being spared. (He later was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness. See  earlier blogs from around Memorial Day 2011 .)

from the 63rd monument

  Walking around this site just knowing he was there and all those that fought and died is a humbling and emotional  experience for me. (A photo of the Blystone homestead exists. The buildings were in the Cherry Run area of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.)

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THE WHEATFIELD-… Painting Update

Posted in Historical, My Art on August 25, 2011| Leave a Comment »

         

Larry Smail and Robert Bowser with Original painting

  All things are finally falling into place in regards to the original acrylic painting entitled, “THE WHEATFIELD- WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH” The organizing of the plans are taking shape also. I will be attending an event at Old Bedford Village on Saturday of this upcoming weekend.  The event is known as “Meet The Generals.”

I will have the original 40″X24″  painting on hand, as well as, some of the limited edition and special anniversary prints on hand  to sell. The print size is 19″x28.6″ with an image of 16″x26.7″.

The prints depict  the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, as part of Colonel Jacob B. Sweitzer’s Second Brigade, First Division, Fifth Corps on the evening of July 2, 1863. The timing of the conflict was during the Wheatfield battle of the great Gettysburg campaign. Many of these brave soldiers came from my home county of Armstrong County, Pennsylvania.

BREAKDOWN OF PRINT INFORMATION:

There are 450 of the regular limited-edition prints signed and numbered. The cost each is $100.00.

A total of 45 Artist-Proof prints will be signed and numbered. The cost of this print is $120.00.

Maltese Cross of the 62nd PVI

   A special anniversary print has been printed, also. These prints will be limited to 150 in remembrance of the 150th year anniversary of the Civil war as well as the “Wheatfield” battle of July 2, 1863. To the right of each numbered print will be the words, “150th Wheatfield Edition. Also, a simple red Maltese Cross will be hand drawn and colored. The 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry often wore the cross on the “Kepie” hats and uniforms. The price of this print is $150.00.

If interested in obtaining any of these prints, please contact me and I will supply all details as to payment and to whom, etc. My e-mail is: lasmail@windstream.net.

Proceeds go to the: 62nd PVI Living History regiment; (www.62ndcodpa.org)  www.camp#43suvcw.org         www.restonarms.wordpress.com

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“Israel”

Posted in Historical, Spiritual, Uncategorized on August 17, 2011| Leave a Comment »

The following words are something you usually won’t see within my writings.  With the constant threat to the Jewish people and Israel I felt a need  to write  my thoughts on the nation and people. Of course, the “blog” will be only a very brief history of Israel.

The Assyrian man, Abraham was called by God. Abraham believed what was spoken  to him allowing the man to be deemed righteous. People don’t usually understand that Abraham was a pagan at the time of his calling. Because of his belief the Abrahamic Covenant was established between he and God. The covenant included a promise that Abraham would have many descendents to cover the earth. A nation would be established and the lands promised  would include the great river in Egypt and the Euphrates River. (Genesis 15:17-20)

Isaac was born from Abraham and Sarah and Jacob was the son of promise with Isaac the father. Jacob’s name was changed to Israel. Jacob’s (Israel) 12 sons would eventually become a nation of people living in the land of Egypt. (This is the Twelve Tribes of Israel.) These people would become like slaves to Egypt as time passed.  Through Moses the people were released from bondage and with time entered into the lands we now know as Israel. (The Promised Land.)

The long lineage continued for generations but not without issues. The nation’s failures to be obedient lead them back and forth through captivities of various pagan, Gentile empires. At the time of Christ’s birth, Israel was in Roman control. In the year 70 A.D., the Roman wrath came upon the nation and the temple was destroyed and the people were greatly dispersed.

Many years went by when talks of a Nation of Israel began to become heard. World War 2 saw the Jewish people  murdered by the millions by the Nazi-controlled Germany and others. This is the “Holocaust”. Talks began anew and in 1948, the Nation of Israel was once more. Immediately, war broke out and in 1967 Jerusalem was again under Jewish control.

Israel, today, is one of the United States’s closet allies, at least for now. The land is surrounded by countries and organizations that have one goal in mind…the elimination of the Jews.  Iran comes to mind with the outspoken leader saying he wants to drive them into the sea.

As someone who has studied Bible prophecy for many years I can’t help to wonder how much longer  Israel, as before will see the terrible times, once again engulf the nation and the Jewish people. Few nations support the countries right to defend. I shake my head and disbelief at many of the anti-Israel events and words from the leaders of various countries and the United Nation.

Anti-Semitic thoughts will continue to grow. I know Israel will be facing some terrible times ahead. A remnant will survive the wars that are to come. The future will find Israel at peace with the Kingdom, once again, and the borders extended to the locations listed above.

That is why I stand with Israel. Commonsense dictates this to me as well as Biblical knowledge.

I realize this is a very brief account of Israel’s history. I hope these writings have spurred some interest and an urge to learn more.

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Lots Of Stuff Going ON!

Posted in Fishing, Historical, Misc. Nature on August 10, 2011| Leave a Comment »

  

Andrew Blaney and Jim Johnson

Indeed, I have been involved in many things over this last week. Beginning  on August 4th through August 7th, I was at the Armstrong County Folk Festival most days. I was dressed in  civilian manner along with members of the 62nd Pennsylvania Volunteers, Company D. Thismembers of this  group are Civil War Living Historians. I had the completed and framed painting of “The Wheatfield-Whirlpool Of Death”on hand to exhibit and discuss. 

Kaison Wolfe with my painting

The only day I was not involved at the festival was Saturday the 6th when I spent eight hours near New Alexandria, PA making some country music this time.

Monday, August 8, my friend, Robert “Slim” Bowser and I went to Pittsburgh to discuss having prints made of the above mentioned painting.  Later in the evening, Laurie and I attended a MS meeting with a catered meal.

SGL Bluebird Box

  Tuesday, I was beat. I wasn’t very productive for much of the day. I did some yard work and I did work on another painting. I am considering entering this waterfowl painting in the Pennsylvania waterfowl contest this September. I haven’t entered in quite some time.

Cooper's Hawk

   Wednesday morning, I stepped outside in the coolness and decided carp fishing should take a priority. I loaded up, after administrating Suzie’s insulin shot, and headed for the mile long hike to the local state game lands pond. The walk in introduced me to a small flock of turkeys.

The fishing didn’t disappoint me either. I caught four carp ranging from 14 inches to about 20 inches. The “close to shore” activity was low this morning, possibly from the rain and slightly higher water in the pond…more food???

      The walk out from the pond was enjoyable. I chose a different route to exit and heard a fawn bleating and shortly saw a fawn and its mother. They were about 25 yards away. I managed one quick photo.

I spent the remainder of the day working around the yard, mowing and painting. Later, near dark, I watched flying squirrels at the feeder.

Flying Squirrel

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Smoke-In-The-Sky

Posted in Historical on July 17, 2011| 1 Comment »

 

Smoke-In-The-Sky

   Smoke-In-The-Sky, (a.k.a. Jon Miller) of Hopwood, Pennsylvania spent hours at the Armstrong County Historical Museum in Kittanning on July 16. The heavily tattooed Jon, was dressed in period correct clothing often found in the 18th century on native-Americans. The Indians of that time commonly would be observed wearing clothing of the “white man” after all their influence and trade had been around for many years by the time of 1756.

    You may quickly notice the tri-corn hat on the head. This could have been gained through warfare. The red vest too may have been taken from a British soldier. Regardless, white man clothing was popular and obtained in many ways.

 

How to tattoo.

   The crowd was constantly present. Jon didn’t even have time enough to finish a sandwich due to the interest and questions. He had many items of interest to show on hand too. A couple of loud powder shots from his musket occurred to further enhance his presentation. Tattoos were completed on a melon to show the styles and technique of the native way to tattoo. Thorns, fish teeth and bluegill spines were the instruments used.

All in all the day was perfect for this event. A nice breeze and the shade of a very old sycamore helped to keep all cool.

Smoke-Around-the-Head

  Many drifted to walk about the museum too further educating and informing of our local history.

 

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THE WHEATFIELD-WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH

Posted in Historical, My Art on July 6, 2011| 2 Comments »

        Copyright Laws Apply To painting                

The painting (colors are not true)

       The challenge of painting a Civil War battle scene has been completed. (I have mentioned the progress with a few past blogs.) The scene depicts the Wheatfield, an actual Gettysburg battle that occurred on July 2, 1863. This event was a very bloody battle with many casualities.The union forces were caught between a three-way confederate shooting area and in an open wheat field. My official title for the painting is:

THE WHEATFIELD-WHIRLPOOL OF DEATH (GETTYSBURG, JULY 2,1863).

The painting came about through a friend, Robert “Slim” Bowser. Slim is a Civil War historian representing the 62nd, Company D, Pennsylvania Volunteers of the John T. Crawford Camp#43. This was an actual camp for training soldiers for this war located in Kittanning, Pennsylvania.

Slim’s interest in the Civil war was thrusted upon him as he learned of an ancestor (Sgt. Daniel Swigart) who fought with this 62nd regiment and at the depicted battle.  This distant relative is buried at the Pine Creek Baptist Cemetary in Armstrong County. He became a Baptist minister after the war. He is in the painting holding a Bible. A further quest for knowledge happened and an interest in the Civil War erupted from this quest.

Our initial discussions helped spur my interest also. The challenge would include a trip to the actual site; borrowed books and a DVD along with questions and hours of research. My biggest concern was in my ability to capture this battle and produce a good, informative painting. You will need to make that determination.

The painting for me began with some very rough and childlike sketches (scribbles to many)to capture various potential compositions.  As these ideas evolved a painting size of 40″x 24″ seemed to work best for me. The battle story could have been told much better with a larger size, but I have drawing table limitations.

Those early, initial sketches were redrawn  in the rough on the paper sized to the 40″x24″. I believe I did, at least 5 papers of this size each time refining the art in detail and adjusting positions of the soldiers. (There are over 100 soldiers within this painting.) 

With a prepared and gessoed masonite panel I roughly sketched in the hills and transferred the soldiers. The painting began with the “slapping” on the paint colors to just get the feel of the art. Then the process of adding layers and accurate colors began.

I had to constantly use my brain (haha) to try to envision what the scene may have looked like at that particular time and day of July 2nd, 1863. I had documentation of the day being hot and humid. This part of the battle occurred after 6:00 P.M. We know from reports that the smoke-filled sky created an eerie red as the sun lowered against the western skyline. We know light winds, later in the evening, gently removed smoke around and away allowing for the moon to be viewed that night.

I know, at times, the distant ridge (Emmitsburg Road) and the wooded area of the painting (Stony Hill) would have been completely obscured with smoke. I used artistic license to allow these sites to be viewed.

I realized at the end of June that the painting  could possibly be completed on the actual day of July 2, 2011… and it was! I didn’t plan the completion that way, but it just happened to work out that way! This fact was quite a coincidence and somewhat humbling

We are discussing options, at this time, as to what will be done with the art. We may do limited edition prints and tee-shirts. Time will tell.

The soldiers painting in the art represent the 62nd (Company D) Pennsylvania Volunteers many of which enlisted from Armstrong County,Pennsylvania. Slim found out one of my ancestors, Simon Blystone (See May 29th blog for more on Simon Blystone) fought at the intersections of the  Emmitsburg Road and the Wheatfield (Millerstown) Road . That site would be behind the wooded hill depicted in the painting.

The first showing of the painting will be at the Kittanning, Fort Armstrong Folk Festival on August 4  to August 7. The art will be with the Civil War group representing the John T. Crawford Camp#43. Of course, this will be weather pending and only at various times when manpower permits.

(A more professional photo of the painting will be listed in the future.)

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Smoke-In-The-Sky

Posted in Historical on June 23, 2011| Leave a Comment »

  

Smoke-In-The-Sky

   The Armstrong County Historical and Genealogy Society will be hosting native American reenactor, “SMOKE-IN-THE-SKY” (Jon Miller of Hopwood, Pennsylvania)  on July 16th at the Armstrong County Historical Museum. He will be discussing many things concerning the native Americans that were common in our area of Pennsylvania during the 18th century.

Topics will include native modes of warfare; village life; mixed blood and the art of tattooing using fish teeth and natural dyes and pigments. Jon is heavily tattooed as the photo shows….that is not paint! He will demonstrate that technique also. The tattooing shown in the photo was a common way of decorating the body by  native traditions. Some of the tattos were completed by Jon himself using the fish teeth!

Jon lived two years as a native warrior in a wigwam. Should make for some most interesting discussions!

Jon will be present from 10:00A.M. to 4:00 P.M. on the 16th of July. The museum will be open also as will the Native American Room.

The museum is located in Kittanning, Pennsylvania at 300 North McKean Street.

Contact me if you desire additional information.

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Memorial Day Thoughts

Posted in 2011 Spring Gobbler Season, Historical, My Family, Wildflowers on May 30, 2011| Leave a Comment »

  

Morning

  I spent the very early hours of the morning of Memorial  Day in the woods.(In fact, I wrote this blog during that time too.) What a great place to reflect! Of course, my thoughts, as they so often do, drifted back to some early years of my father and I trekking over these same hills and hollows. Further thoughts took me back to the time when my dad pointed out his name on a, long gone, memorial along the street in Elderton, Pennsylvania.  My little chest puffed out with pride! This was a big deal for a five or six year-old as it is today!

      Although, I can’t recall these memories, but, I was told I would stand at attention, when I first could do so, anytime the “Star-Spangled Banner” would be heard.

I am old enough to remember when McArthur and Churchhill passed away. These were a couple of the “big guys” from the WW2 era. I recall hearing of the passing of the last Civil War veteran, as well as the last World War 1 soldier. Now the World war 2 veterans are rapidly aging followed quickly by the Korean and Viet Nam vets!    

Our native Columbine

I remembered some details of war stories from my father. Some of the places he was and the things he witnessed could easily ruin good men. Biblically speaking, there will be a time when all things old and present will be gone and there will be no more war. What a day that will be! The way many things are falling into place I suspect the terrible times coming will not be far off before that time of PEACE.

On Sunday,Pastor Wayne Sawyer of the Kittanning Free Methodist Church had the beginning moments of the film “Saving Private Ryan” shown. I turned my head to avoid watching the man and his family at the gravesite of the captain responsible for his life. I know my results. Powerful!

Song Sparrow

  

Cherry Run

    Later, Laurie and I will cook some burgers on the grill and I will, no doubt, watch some war movie.In most recent years I would dress in my 18th century apparel and walk the Memorial Day parade. The man in charge of that event too has passed. Another great patriot named Herman Rupert. I had him as a teacher in high school too.

Native Iris-Blue Flag

   I did see a few squirrels and some deer. I saw a woodcock too. I left the woods after 8:00 A. M. The woods were quiet as was I. It was a good morning!

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Memorial Day- Civil War Ancestry

Posted in Historical, My Family on May 29, 2011| 9 Comments »

Memorial Day causes me to ponder on the reasons of war and those involved. My father, Allen K. Smail instilled a deep respect and honor towards are veterans. He was in the European theater during WWll. He saw concentration camps and other many sites most of us would cringe in terror over seeing.

I have been searching for details of my ancestors of the Blystone side of my family who fought in that great and bloody Civil War! Also, this year is the 150th anniversary of that conflict where brothers fought against brothers.(That equals three 50 year life spans. Not very long ago in this comparison!) My grandmother on my father’s side was a Blystone. She married, my grandfather, Alpha Kline Smail. Her father (my great grandfather) was Archibald Blystone.

My great-great grandfather, John Blystone married a full-blooded Seneca (not-confirmed yet) named Anna Fultz. Their lives and their families resided in the Indiana and Armstrong County areas of Pennsylvania. They had 15 children.  Of these six males (possibly seven) were involved in the Civil War.

names on Armstrong County War memorial

Simon Blystone enlisted in 1861 in the 63rd, Company G, Pennsylvania Volunteers. (later that year brothers, William and George enlisted to.) Simon was in Gettysburg. If my memory serves me his name, at least, is on the Pennsylvania monument there at the battlefield. I found information where he was mustered into service in 1864. This confused me for Gettysburg was in 1863. Further searching proved he had renlisted in January 1864. He was killed in the Battle of the Wilderness in May of 1864. He is buried in a mass grave. There is a photo reportedly of Simon Blystone. I have only seen a poor quality reproduction.

William Blystone enlisted in the same outfit as Simon 1861 and , he too, reenlisted in 1864. William was wounded in the leg at Petersburg, Virginia and died during a leg amputation. He is buried in grave # 985 at City point National Cemetery.

George Blystone enlisted in the same outfit as Simon and William. He was wounded in the upper leg and spent the remaining war in various hospitals. He died in a mining accident in 1895.

Henry Blystone was in Company I, 46th Regiment of the Pennsylvania Volunteers.  He was with General Sherman’s “March to the Sea.”  There is a photo of an aged, white-bearded Henry in the early 1900 era. He had his uniform on with medals. He, and his descendents used the name Sherman to name sons. He died in 1912.

Henry Blystone is second from left. (Front row)

Henry Blystone is second from left. (Front row)

John Blystone was in the POT., Company E, 54th regiment of the Pennsylvania Infantry.  He is listed as to being in the war only a few months. I would like to know the reasons for this.

Archibald Blystone, as I stated earlier, was my great-grandfather. I have found two reports as his units. One was the 102nd, company H, Pennsylvania Infantry and the other listed as Company K, 107th. He was wounded at Dabney Mills, Virginia. The wound was a bullet graze across the crown of his head. The scar was permanent. He died in 1899.

Walter Blystone is the man with some unknowns. He died of typhoid fever either while joining the war effort or after. His date of death is listed at one site as “around 1860”.  Another site claims his death to be in 1861.There is one report discovered stating three of the Blystones boys died in the Civil war. Walter may be, indeed, the third.

I am humbled and proud of these ancestors. Although I may never be able to pull enough information together to tell their complete stories I intend to look for details.

REMEMBER MEMORIAL DAY AND ESPECIALLY OUR VETERANS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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