William Wallace Smith Bliss (17 August 1815–4 August 1853) was a United States army officer. He was born in Whitehall, New York. He was the son of Captain John Bliss (of Lebanon, New Hampshire) and Olive Hall Simonds (of Todd County, Kentucky). John Bliss was a graduate of West Point in 1811. August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar. ... April 5-12: Mount Tambora explodes, changing climate. ... August 4 is the 216th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (217th in leap years), with 149 days remaining. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... The United States Army is the largest branch of the United States armed forces and has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... An officer is a member of a military or naval service who holds a position of responsibility. ... Whitehall is a town located in Washington County, New York. ... NY redirects here. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Todd County is a county located in the state of Kentucky. ... USMA redirects here. ...

Military career

Bliss entered the United States Military Academy on 1 September 1829. He showed very great mathematical gifts while a student. He graduated 1 July 1833 (not yet 18 years old) as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. 4th Infantry Regiment. It was his choice to serve in the infantry. September 1 is the 244th day of the year (245th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... Johann Wolfgang von Goethe 1829 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... July 1 is the 182nd day of the year (183rd in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 183 days remaining. ... 1833 was a common year starting on Tuesday (see link for calendar). ... Second Lieutenant is the lowest commissioned rank in many armed forces. ... The 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry has served in the defense of the United States for over two hundred years. ...

He served in the Fort Mitchell army garrison in Alabama from 1833 to 1834. During 1845 he was involved in operations against the Cherokee. Official language(s) English Capital Montgomery Largest city Birmingham Area  Ranked 30th  - Total 52,419 sq mi (135,765 km²)  - Width 190 miles (306 km)  - Length 330 miles (531 km)  - % water 3. ... For other uses, see Cherokee (disambiguation). ...

From 2 October 1834 until 4 January 1840 he served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at West Point. As a Captain, he served as Chief of Staff to the Commanding General in the Florida War from 1840 until 1841. He served at Fort Smith, Arkansas and at Fort Jesup, Louisiana. October 2 is the 275th day (276th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 90 days remaining. ... 1834 was a common year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... January 4 is the 4th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1840 is a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar). ... A professor giving a lecture The meaning of the word professor (Latin: one who claims publicly to be an expert) varies. ... Euclid, Greek mathematician, 3rd century BC, known today as the father of geometry; shown here in a detail of The School of Athens by Raphael. ... Captain is a nautical term, an organizational title, and a rank in various uniformed organizations. ... Osceola, Seminole leader, detail from an 1838 lithograph The Seminole Wars, also known as the Florida Wars, were three wars or conflicts in Florida between the Seminole Native American tribe and the United States. ... Fort Smith is a city situated at the junction of the Arkansas and Poteau rivers. ... Official language(s) English Capital Little Rock Largest city Little Rock Area  Ranked 29th  - Total 53,179 sq mi (137,732 km²)  - Width 239 miles (385 km)  - Length 261 miles (420 km)  - % water 2. ... Official language(s) de jure: none de facto: English & French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans [1] Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33°N  - Longitude 89°W...

In 1845 he took part in the military occupation of Texas. Between April 1846 and November 1847 he took part in the Mexican War, including fighting in the Battle of Palo Alto on 8 May 1846. His conduct warranted promotion to Major on 9 May 1846. He fought in the Battle of Buena Vista and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1847 for gallant and meritorious service. Official language(s) None See: Languages of Texas Capital Austin Largest city Houston Area  Ranked 2nd  - Total 268,581 sq mi (695,622 km²)  - Width 773 miles (1,244 km)  - Length 790 miles (1,270 km)  - % water 2. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Winfield Scott Stephen W. Kearney Antonio López de Santa Anna Mariano Arista Pedro de Ampudia Strength 7,000 - 43,000 18,000 - 40,000 Casualties KIA: 1,733 Total dead: 13,283 Wounded: 4,152 25,000 killed or wounded (Mexican government... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Mariano Arista Strength 2,400 infantry 2,300 infantry, 1,100 cavalry and 160 artillery 12 guns Casualties 5 killed 43 wounded 102 killed 129 wounded 26 missing The Battle of Palo Alto was the first major battle of the Mexican-American War... May 8 is the 128th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (129th in leap years). ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... Major is a military rank the use of which varies according to country. ... May 9 is the 129th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (130th in leap years). ... 1846 was a common year starting on Thursday (see link for calendar). ... The Battle of Buena Vista was a land battle of the Mexican-American War fought on 23 February 1847 in Buena Vista, Coahuila, seven miles (12 km) south of Saltillo, in northern Mexico. ... Lieutenant Colonel (Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grades spelling) is a rank of commissioned officer in the armies and most marine corps and air forces of the world, typically ranking above a Major and below a Colonel. ...

During his service in Texas and in Mexico he served under Major-General Zachary Taylor. Bliss was noted for his efficiency. His writing was simple, elegant, vigorous, and picturesque. He was cheerful and popular with the public. Major General or Major-General is a military rank used in many countries. ... Zachary Taylor (November 24, 1784 – July 9, 1850) was an American military leader and the twelfth President of the United States. ...

Intellectual pursuits

He received an A.M. from Dartmouth College, New Hampshire in 1848. He was a member of the Royal Society of Northern Antiquaries of Copenhagen, Denmark and an Honorary Member of the American Ethnological Society. He was gifted at languages, and was fluent in at least thirteen. George Perkins Marsh, the philologist, said that Bliss was the best linguist in America. A masters degree is an academic degree usually awarded for completion of a postgraduate (or graduate) course of one to three years in duration. ... Dartmouth College is a private academic institution in Hanover, New Hampshire, in the United States. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Copenhagen (IPA: , rhyming with pagan (the way the Danes themselves pronounce the name of the capital in English), or , with a as in spa; Danish   IPA: ) is the capital of Denmark and the countrys largest city (metropolitan population 1,211,542 (2006)). It is also the name of the... Ethnology (greek ethnos: (non-greek, barbarian) people) is a genre of anthropological study, involving the systematic comparison of the folklore, beliefs and practices of different societies. ... George Perkins Marsh (March 15, 1801 – July 23, 1882), an American diplomat and philologist, is considered by some to be Americas first environmentalist. ... Philology is the study of ancient texts and languages. ...

Political life

In 1848, at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he married the general's youngest daughter, Mary Elizabeth Taylor ("Miss Betty"). When General Taylor became President of the United States, on 4 March 1849 he became Private Secretary to the President. The President's wife took no part in formal social events and delegated this to her daughter. Bliss's wife was, in effect, the First Lady at the White House at the age of 22. The popular young couple seemed destined to become powerful figures in Washington. Capitol Building Baton Rouge is the capital of Louisiana, a state of the United States of America. ... Official language(s) de jure: none de facto: English & French Capital Baton Rouge Largest city New Orleans [1] Area  Ranked 31st  - Total 51,885 sq mi (134,382 km²)  - Width 130 miles (210 km)  - Length 379 miles (610 km)  - % water 16  - Latitude 29°N to 33°N  - Longitude 89°W... Mary Elizabeth Taylor Bliss (April 20, 1824 - July 25, 1909) was the daughter of President Zachary Taylor and First Lady Margaret Taylor. ... For other uses, see President of the United States (disambiguation). ... March 4 is the 63rd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (64th in leap years). ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ... North façade of the White House, seen from Pennsylvania Avenue. ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United...

On 22 March 1849 the State of New York presented him with a Gold Medal for his bravery in Mexico, at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterrey and Buena Vista. March 22 is the 81st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (82nd in leap years). ... 1849 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... State nickname: Empire State Other U.S. States Capital Albany Largest city New York Governor George Pataki Official languages None Area 141,205 km² (27th)  - Land 122,409 km²  - Water 18,795 km² (13. ... Combatants United States Mexico Commanders Zachary Taylor Mariano Arista Strength 2,400 infantry 2,300 infantry, 1,100 cavalry and 160 artillery 12 guns Casualties 5 killed 43 wounded 102 killed 129 wounded 26 missing The Battle of Palo Alto was the first major battle of the Mexican-American War... At the Battle of Resaca de la Palma, one of the early engagements of the Mexican-American War, Zachary Taylor engaged the retreating forces of the Mexican Army of the North under Gen. ... The Battle of Monterrey (September 21–September 23, 1846) was an engagement in the Mexican-American War in which General Pedro de Ampudia and the Mexican Army of the North managed to fight US troops to a standstill at the important fortress town of Monterrey. ... The Battle of Buena Vista was a land battle of the Mexican-American War fought on 23 February 1847 in Buena Vista, Coahuila, seven miles (12 km) south of Saltillo, in northern Mexico. ...

Last years

The President died suddenly in July 1850. Bliss accompanied the widow to Pascagoula, Mississippi, where she too died in 1852. Bliss then took up the post of Adjutant-General of the Western Division of the Army. Following a visit to plague-ridden New Orleans on behalf of Tulane University then named the University of Louisiana, Colonel Bliss died of Yellow Fever at Pascagoula 5 August 1853, aged 38. Thus Miss Betty lost her father, mother, and husband in a little over three years. Sign for Pascagoula on U.S. Route 90 Pascagoula is a city in Jackson County, Mississippi, United States. ... Tulane University is a private, nonsectarian, coeducational research university located in New Orleans, Louisiana. ... August 5 is the 217th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (218th in leap years), with 148 days remaining. ... 1853 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ...

On March 8, 1854, the Post of El Paso officially became Fort Bliss. Bliss had never visited El Paso. A twenty-foot memorial of Italian marble was raised to the memory of Colonel Bliss, "a finished scholar, an accomplished gentleman and a gallant soldier", in the Girod Street Cemetery, New Orleans. In 1955, the cemetery being condemned for the building of a highway, Colonel Bliss’ remains and monument were moved to Fort Bliss. March 8 is the 67th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (68th in leap years). ... 1854 (MDCCCLIV) was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... A panoramic view of El Paso, Texas from the north. ... Fort Bliss is a census-designated place and US Army post located in El Paso County, Texas. ...

References

• Carl Sferrazza. America's First Families: An Inside View of 200 Years of Private Life in the White House, Lisa Drew Books

External links

• The Bliss Family History Society,
• Fort Bliss National Cemetery,
• Fort Bliss The Post Opposite El Paso,
• My Southern Family,
• Military biography of William Bliss from the Cullum biographies