The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-03
Retired From The Regular Army Under The
Age Disability Act In 1893.
HAD LONG SERVICE ON THE FRONTIER
More Extended Than That Of Any Officer In The
hmy-Kas a Naive Of Johnston, and Was
Very Prominent During The Civil War.

AT o'clock yesterday afternoon MAJ
or General Zenas II. Bliss, United
STATES Army. retired. died at the Prov
idence Hospital in Washington from
peritonitls resulting from an operation
performed a week ago.
Maj. Gen. Bliss, although native OF
this state, and spending part of his
summers at the home Of his son, ,Zenas
W.Bllss in Edgewood had been a resi-
dent OF Washington since he was retir-
ed under the age disability clause. April
II, 1898, and for some time before. He
led the 10th Rhode Island Volunteers
10 the Civil War, and later had COM
mand OF the 9TH Rhode Island. Promo
tion in the army came 20 him late in
life. but was no less deserved than
rapid.
Maj. Gen. Bliss served more years on
the frontier than any other officer ever
in the service. He had several times
during the nine years OF his command
OF the Gath United States Infantry been
prominently mentioned for promotion.
when the retirement OF Mai. Gen. Nc
Cook commanding the Department or
Colorado, in 1895. brought about a gem
eral advance along the line. Col. Bliss
was lOllllidAtu al MI "a
%. 1895. ana was advanced TO Major
General in May, 1897
NATIVE OF JOHNSTON.
lie was born in Johnston, April IL.
1886. and was appointed a cadet at the
Military Academy July /, 1850, when
only IL Years old. one year under age.
lie was unusually well developed. and
was allowed to pass because of his size.
He graduated July 1854. with the rank
OF brevet 2d lieutenant In the lst Infan-
try. and was ordered TO Fort Duncan,
Texas.
Lieut.. Bliss served at various posts in
Texas until 1861. part OF the time in
command of a company. During this
time he received several promotions.
being appointed % lieutenant in the Sth
Infantry March 3. 1866; 1st lieutenant
Oct. IL, 1860. and Captain May H. 1861,
while "A prisoner OF war at Richmond.
SURROUNDED BY REBELS.
While first lieutenant. on Aprs 5.
1861, he started from Fort Quitman.
Tex, with his company. TO join the
force of Col. Reeve. then on its was to
San Antonio, $50 miles distant. They
had almost reached their destination
when, on May 3, 1861. when only IL
miles from San Antonio. they were sur
rounded by vastly superior rebel force
OF over 1000 men. under command of
Gen Earl Van Dorm. The rebels COM
prised battery OF six pieces of artl-
lery, an Independent company Of almost
100 men, regiment of cavalry and an
other OF infantry. To oppose this force
the Union troops had less than a dozen
rounds of ammunition per man. The
rebels demanded the unconditional sur
render OF the entire force and this was
finally agreed TO. Lieut.. Bliss remained
prisoner OF war for almost a year
most of the time at San Antonio. Tex.
being afterwards transferred TO the me-
gro Jail in Richmond.
Wnen he was exchanged in 1872 he
came to Rhode Island, and OF May 20
1862, was commissioned colon II of the
10Th Rhode Island Volunteers, a three
months regiment ordere' TO the defence
OF Washington. This regiment was prin-
cipally recruited from the ranks OF the
1st Regiment OF National Guards orig
inally organized for state defence. and
contained some of the most prominene
men of the state, ex-Gov Elisha Dyer
being captain OF one OF the companies.
When the rebels advanced on Washing
ton, Secretary Stanton sent out an
urgent call for the state militia Att
O'Clock on the morning OF May 26 Col
Shaw. commanding the LIST Regiment.
National Guards, was ordered to organ
ize his command. At o'clock in the
evening of that day 61S men were re-
ported to the governor as armed and
equipped, ready to march. Capt. Bliss
was appointed colonel. and the regi-
ment went to Washington, where IL
served in the forts around the National
Capital, relieving older troops for SER
vice in the field. The regiment arrived
home in Providence on Aug2S, and was
mustered out of service on Sept. 1, the
rebels having been driven back and all
immediate danger to Washington re-
moved.
TRANSFERRED TO SEVENTH.
Col. Bliss did not return with the reg.
iment, having been transferred to the
command of the eth Rhode Island Vol
unteers on Aug. g. being enrolled on
Aug. and mustered IN Aug. H. He
remained with this regiment until near
the close OF the war. and participated
in the battles and, the ardSIous service
IL performed IN the first battle OF
Fredericksburg he was recommended
for promotion to the rank of brigadIer
general, burt the unfortunate circum-
stance of his having been with Col.
Reeves command when IL surrendered
TO Gen. Van Dorm, May .. 1861. worked
against him, although he had not been
BurdOck Blood Rittera o-ves a man