The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1900-01-03


consulted In the surrender, and he re-
ceived instead the rank OF Brevet Maj
or For gallant and meritorious service
In the battles OF the Wilderness. June Q.
1865 he received the rank OF Brevet
Lieutenant Colonel.
In 1868 the 7th Rhode Island was
transferred TO Kentucky, and took part
in the Vicksburg campaign after Gen.
Johnson.
FOR PROMOTION.
At the conclusion of the campaign he
was again recommended for promotion.
this time by Gen. Grant. During the
winter OF 1863 and "a he commanded
the District OF Middle Tennessee.
most important command. including a
large fort and several regiments. hav-
ing IN charge nearly 100000 rations
for the army OF Gen. Sherman. During
this year. 1864, he was again recon-
mended for promotion to brigadier gen.
eral. When the 7th Rhode Island was
transferred TO the East. he gave up the
command OF the District OF Middle
Tennessee and took command OF the 1st
Brigade, I'd Division, OF the 9th Army
Corps. After the Wilderness he was
brevetted as already mentioned. and
was injured by his horse at Spottsyl-
vania, where the 7fh Rhode Island con-
structed the mine. After the explosion
Of the mine and the ensuing battle ne
received a letter OF praise from his d-
vision commander Gen. II. Il. Potter.In
the fall OF 1854 he was given sick leave.
and on Nov. 8, 1864, was ordered on de-
rached service at Wheeling. as presi-
dent OF board of officers. where he re-
mained until June, 1865. He was mus
tered out OF the volunteer service June
2S.
IN REGULAR SERVICE.
He Immediately went back to the reg
ular army with his old rank OF captain
and in 1866 was transferred to South
Carolina and given command or the
district OF Chester, acting as assistant
commissioner of the bureau of freed
men and having charge of all the mill
tary and civil business of the district
at that time under martial law. In
August of that year he was detailed
for recruiting service, having served
longer In the field during the Rebellion
than any other officer In the regiment.
on Aug. 6. 1867, he was made Major OF
the 39th Infantry and on March l5, 1862
was transferred to the 25th Infantry
He commanded part of Jackson Bar
racks, Forts Jackson and St Philip
until 1870, when he was transferred,
with his regiment, to Texas. command
for more than a year. In 1878 he was
placed in charge of the principal depot
for general recruiting service and on
March 4, 1879. was appointed Lieuten-
ant Colonel OF the 18th Infantry and or
dered to Fort Hayes. Kan.
IN THE SOUTH WEST.
He served in the various forts in the
Southwest. and on April 20. 1886, was
made colonel of the oath Infantry and
sent TO Camp supply, Indian Territory.
In 1883, he was ordered to Fort Bayard.
in the western part OF New Mexico.
about nine miles from Silver City,
where he remained until his promotion
as brigadier general. AS all the big
Indian wars have been on the north
west frontier, Gen. Bliss had no oppor-
tunity 10 see very active service. but
has been known as a reliable officer
with q good record. He has always had
command Of post since the end OF the
CIVIL War.
He was recommended for promotion
nv a resolution of the Rhode Island
legislature about 1893. but failed. an
other colonel receiving the promotion.
In line of eligibility by date OF COM
mission. he stood fourth. being pre-
ceded by Col William r.. Shafter. 1st
Infantry: Col. Peter L. Swaine. 22d
Infantry. and Col. Henry c.. Merriam,
eth Infantry
AS is we'll known Gen. Bliss jumped
Shafter for promotion and was COM
missioned on the same date with Brig.
Gen. John J. Coppinger. who was re-
tired in 1898. He was very well known
in the army, and had "A ~eal OF popu-
larity. Although retired. he kept i'm
close touch with army affairs. His Ill
ness had recently taken such a favor
able turn that his son had hopes OF
being able to remove him from the hos
pital, where he had been taken for an
operation, to his home on New Hamp-
shire avenue.