LTC Bliss contracted yellow fever in New Orleans, died at the age of 37 in Mississippi and originally buried in New Orleans, LA.
Born in Whitehall, New York, he was the son of Captain John Bliss (of Lebanon, New Hampshire) and Olive Hall Simons. His father, John Bliss, was a graduate of West Point in 1811.
Bliss entered the United States Military Academy on September 1, 1829. He showed very great mathematical gifts while a student. He graduated July 1, 1833 (not yet 18 years old) as a 2d Lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Regiment. It was his choice to serve in the infantry.
He served in the Fort Mitchell army garrison in Alabama from 1833 to 1834. During 1835 he was involved in operations against the Cherokee during Indian Removal, which removed most of them to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.
From October 2, 1834 until January 4, 1840, Bliss served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at West Point. As a Captain, he served as Chief of Staff from 1840 until 1841 to Brig. Gen. Walker Keith Armistead, the Commanding General in the Seminole Wars. He served at Fort Smith, Arkansas and at Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
In 1845 Bliss took part in the United States military occupation of the Republic of Texas, prior to its annexation. Between April 1846 and November 1847, he took part in the Mexican War, including fighting in the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. His performance gained a promotion to major on May 9, 1846. He fought in the Battle of Buena Vista and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1847 for gallant and meritorious service.
During his service in Texas and in Mexico he served under Major-General Zachary Taylor. Bliss was noted for his efficiency and skills as a high-level aide. His writing was simple, elegant, vigorous, and picturesque. He was cheerful and popular with the public.
March 8, 1854, the Post of El Paso was renamed in his honor as Fort Bliss.
PROVIDED BY Fran Hanchett: His mother was Olive Hall Simons Smith was born in Lebanon, NH (NOT TODD CO. KY).
After William's father Capt. John Bliss died, Olive moved back to Lebanon, NH; where her family lived. William was educated in Lebanon, NH until he entered West Point Military Academy.
William was described as: "the beautiful boy, the affectionate and obedient son of an accomplished and early-widowed mother; the youth of him toned moral character, the truly magnificent scholar, an honor to the Military School of West Point." (From the Bliss Genealogy)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Separate bio
Veteran of the Mexican American War. Military Aide to General Zachary Taylor, he married Taylor's youngest daughter, Betty Taylor.
While on leave from the Army, he served as President Zachary Taylor's private secretary. Fort Bliss, Texas was named in his honor in 1854.
Born in Whitehall, New York, he was the son of Captain John Bliss (of Lebanon, New Hampshire) and Olive Hall Simons. His father, John Bliss, was a graduate of West Point in 1811.
Bliss entered the United States Military Academy on September 1, 1829. He showed very great mathematical gifts while a student. He graduated July 1, 1833 (not yet 18 years old) as a 2d Lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Regiment. It was his choice to serve in the infantry.
He served in the Fort Mitchell army garrison in Alabama from 1833 to 1834. During 1835 he was involved in operations against the Cherokee during Indian Removal, which removed most of them to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.
From October 2, 1834 until January 4, 1840, Bliss served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at West Point. As a Captain, he served as Chief of Staff from 1840 until 1841 to Brig. Gen. Walker Keith Armistead, the Commanding General in the Seminole Wars. He served at Fort Smith, Arkansas and at Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
In 1845 Bliss took part in the United States military occupation of the Republic of Texas, prior to its annexation. Between April 1846 and November 1847, he took part in the Mexican War, including fighting in the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. His performance gained a promotion to major on May 9, 1846. He fought in the Battle of Buena Vista and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1847 for gallant and meritorious service.
During his service in Texas and in Mexico he served under Major-General Zachary Taylor. Bliss was noted for his efficiency and skills as a high-level aide. His writing was simple, elegant, vigorous, and picturesque. He was cheerful and popular with the public.
March 8, 1854, the Post of El Paso was renamed in his honor as Fort Bliss.
PROVIDED BY Fran Hanchett: His mother was Olive Hall Simons Smith was born in Lebanon, NH (NOT TODD CO. KY).
After William's father Capt. John Bliss died, Olive moved back to Lebanon, NH; where her family lived. William was educated in Lebanon, NH until he entered West Point Military Academy.
William was described as: "the beautiful boy, the affectionate and obedient son of an accomplished and early-widowed mother; the youth of him toned moral character, the truly magnificent scholar, an honor to the Military School of West Point." (From the Bliss Genealogy)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Separate bio
Veteran of the Mexican American War. Military Aide to General Zachary Taylor, he married Taylor's youngest daughter, Betty Taylor.
While on leave from the Army, he served as President Zachary Taylor's private secretary. Fort Bliss, Texas was named in his honor in 1854.
LTC Bliss contracted yellow fever in New Orleans, died at the age of 37 in Mississippi and originally buried in New Orleans, LA.
Born in Whitehall, New York, he was the son of Captain John Bliss (of Lebanon, New Hampshire) and Olive Hall Simons. His father, John Bliss, was a graduate of West Point in 1811.
Bliss entered the United States Military Academy on September 1, 1829. He showed very great mathematical gifts while a student. He graduated July 1, 1833 (not yet 18 years old) as a 2d Lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Regiment. It was his choice to serve in the infantry.
He served in the Fort Mitchell army garrison in Alabama from 1833 to 1834. During 1835 he was involved in operations against the Cherokee during Indian Removal, which removed most of them to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.
From October 2, 1834 until January 4, 1840, Bliss served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at West Point. As a Captain, he served as Chief of Staff from 1840 until 1841 to Brig. Gen. Walker Keith Armistead, the Commanding General in the Seminole Wars. He served at Fort Smith, Arkansas and at Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
In 1845 Bliss took part in the United States military occupation of the Republic of Texas, prior to its annexation. Between April 1846 and November 1847, he took part in the Mexican War, including fighting in the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. His performance gained a promotion to major on May 9, 1846. He fought in the Battle of Buena Vista and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1847 for gallant and meritorious service.
During his service in Texas and in Mexico he served under Major-General Zachary Taylor. Bliss was noted for his efficiency and skills as a high-level aide. His writing was simple, elegant, vigorous, and picturesque. He was cheerful and popular with the public.
March 8, 1854, the Post of El Paso was renamed in his honor as Fort Bliss.
PROVIDED BY Fran Hanchett: His mother was Olive Hall Simons Smith was born in Lebanon, NH (NOT TODD CO. KY).
After William's father Capt. John Bliss died, Olive moved back to Lebanon, NH; where her family lived. William was educated in Lebanon, NH until he entered West Point Military Academy.
William was described as: "the beautiful boy, the affectionate and obedient son of an accomplished and early-widowed mother; the youth of him toned moral character, the truly magnificent scholar, an honor to the Military School of West Point." (From the Bliss Genealogy)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Separate bio
Veteran of the Mexican American War. Military Aide to General Zachary Taylor, he married Taylor's youngest daughter, Betty Taylor.
While on leave from the Army, he served as President Zachary Taylor's private secretary. Fort Bliss, Texas was named in his honor in 1854.
Born in Whitehall, New York, he was the son of Captain John Bliss (of Lebanon, New Hampshire) and Olive Hall Simons. His father, John Bliss, was a graduate of West Point in 1811.
Bliss entered the United States Military Academy on September 1, 1829. He showed very great mathematical gifts while a student. He graduated July 1, 1833 (not yet 18 years old) as a 2d Lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Regiment. It was his choice to serve in the infantry.
He served in the Fort Mitchell army garrison in Alabama from 1833 to 1834. During 1835 he was involved in operations against the Cherokee during Indian Removal, which removed most of them to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.
From October 2, 1834 until January 4, 1840, Bliss served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at West Point. As a Captain, he served as Chief of Staff from 1840 until 1841 to Brig. Gen. Walker Keith Armistead, the Commanding General in the Seminole Wars. He served at Fort Smith, Arkansas and at Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
In 1845 Bliss took part in the United States military occupation of the Republic of Texas, prior to its annexation. Between April 1846 and November 1847, he took part in the Mexican War, including fighting in the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. His performance gained a promotion to major on May 9, 1846. He fought in the Battle of Buena Vista and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1847 for gallant and meritorious service.
During his service in Texas and in Mexico he served under Major-General Zachary Taylor. Bliss was noted for his efficiency and skills as a high-level aide. His writing was simple, elegant, vigorous, and picturesque. He was cheerful and popular with the public.
March 8, 1854, the Post of El Paso was renamed in his honor as Fort Bliss.
PROVIDED BY Fran Hanchett: His mother was Olive Hall Simons Smith was born in Lebanon, NH (NOT TODD CO. KY).
After William's father Capt. John Bliss died, Olive moved back to Lebanon, NH; where her family lived. William was educated in Lebanon, NH until he entered West Point Military Academy.
William was described as: "the beautiful boy, the affectionate and obedient son of an accomplished and early-widowed mother; the youth of him toned moral character, the truly magnificent scholar, an honor to the Military School of West Point." (From the Bliss Genealogy)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Separate bio
Veteran of the Mexican American War. Military Aide to General Zachary Taylor, he married Taylor's youngest daughter, Betty Taylor.
While on leave from the Army, he served as President Zachary Taylor's private secretary. Fort Bliss, Texas was named in his honor in 1854.
Bio by: Robert Word
Inscription
(FRONT)
WILLIAM
W S
BLISS
NEW YORK
LT COL
INDIAN WARS
MEXICAN WARS
17 August 1815
5 August 1853
(REVERSE)
USMA 1833
CHIEF OF STAFF
TO
GEN ZACHARY
TAYLOR
PRIVATE
SECRETARY
TO
PRES. ZACHARY
TAYLOR
PALO ALTO
RESACA DE
LA PALMA
MONTEREY
BUENA VISTA
Family Members
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