Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-04-01
21ersomal .Sketrhes.

MAJOR BLIss.--Willam w S. Bliss. bre-
vet Major, was born in New Hampshire. in
the year 1910, of highly respectable family.
He early showed such proof of ability that
an appointment, as cadet at West Point was
procured for him. nor had he been lono at
that institution, beice he was considered one
., the most prominent members of his class
FOR proficiency in mathematical s,udics ne
was especially distinguished His general
superiority over his comrau,s was evident.
'iia' Il, me time he graduated, which was in
io''' ne was known at the Ac.lemy. by
pun on his name, of "PERFEcr Bis ;;
iii 1898 he received brevet rs ,oa,,,l
lieutenant, with the other members OF A.,
graduating class. In 1891 he was moda
iull second lieutenant. lie now beca,po a..
tached TO the Academy at West poinf os "a,
slslant Professor of Mathematics. and ro,,,;
nued there in this capacity until 1910. durug
winch time ne perfected himself in all thosr
studies which render him now so oaccomplish
ed, not only as an officer. but Il scholar
Perhaps we hazard nothing in saying that he
is without his equal in this respect. in the ar
my.-Ihare may be others as brave. ctbers
as s&iilul in the field, but there is not one
who with these qualities, is also 50 accom-.
plishad as Major Bliss
IL 1885, he was promoted 10 first lieuten.
ancy. In 1887 he received the brevet of Can
tain, with the appointment of assistant adm
tant general.-Soon after he was promoted to
full captaincv. His fortunes now became
connected with those of General Taylor. IT,,
accompanied that leader to Corpus Christi.
and subsequently 10 Point Isabel: and was
present at the battles of Palo Alto and Rcsa-
ca de Ia Palma, where he received the favor.
able concentrations of the commander-m.
chief. He also acted as Adjutant General of
the Army of Occupation,' and as Military
Secretary of the General
Major Bliss is the hero of many anecdotes
i'll connection with Gen. Taylor and indeed
the names Of The two men are indssoMbly
associated, TO a certain extent, in the public
mind. One of TIE most celebrated of these
anecdotes is that told in relation to IL crisis
at BHena Vista-When Capt Bragg s.,w the
MaNicans advancing TO their las, assault. h,
was at first intnidated by the disparity Of
numbers, and sent 10 Gen. Taylor asking for
rcinforcemcnts Tell the General" " was his
message, !'thlt if not succored. shall lose
my guns" $50 back said Gen. T. TO The
aid-de-camT, ''and say to Clpt. Bracg hat |
have not a man 10 send him. He must die
where be stan.'., as we all must" The aid
galloPad of, aud was soon lost through tha
smoke. Thi general looked at him for mo-
meut and then bpckoning 10 Bliss, both hur-
red after tha aid. whom they overlook irst
as he reached Bragg. Taylor pulled in his
rein and said, Il have brought YOU all the r.
serves had, Capt. Bragg--,hey are Major
Bliss and myself1 Then louki q at The dark
enin. columns of the MeXicans, which were
last approaching, he added the memorable
words Give them little more grppa, Cap
t9'H,i At the word, the guns Were chargeI
and the match applied The fierce concus-
sion shook the hills, and as the smoke lifted,
tha columns of the enemy We're seen in dis
order, A second discharge checked their
HtINd!cc' anu d hi'lu uIoNt llltll ''tN' a
iitsle more grape" had proved better than
thousand bayonets.
Mlior Bliss was in every battle fought by
Gen. Taylor in Mexico. When most of the
regular officers were detached from that Gen
erals army, and sent TO Join Scott prior to
the attack of Vera Cruz, Bliss continued with
his old commander.-During the spring, sum-
quarters; and when General Taylor returned
to the United States on furlough, Bliss ac-
companied him. He is now on visit to his
native State, New Hampshire, which has rea-
son to be proud of so distinguished son.