Trench and camp. [volume] (Augusta, Ga.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-05
GEN. TASkER BLISS
@LEWISDURG BOY
United States Chief of Staff
Brother to Camp Librarian
r. P. Bliss.

In last weeks Trench and Camp. we
mentioned the names of generals in
France and this country who were
pennsylvania boys and among the more
noted men was General Tasker H Bliss,
chief of staff of the United States ar
my, now in Europe with the American
mission, headed by Colonel House.
General Bliss is a brother of Camp
Librarian r. p. Bliss, of Harrisburg,
and from him we cleaned a few in
teresting facts, concerning the career
OF the man who stands next in author
lty to the president of the United States
when it pertains to military matters.
One of Twelve Children.
SlXty-four years ago, Tasker H. Bliss
saw the light of day at Lewisburg, Pa.
lie was born December 81, 1853, and
was one of twelve children, being eight
years older than his brother at Camp
Hancock. There were six boys and six
girls in the Bliss family, nine of whom
are living today. General Bliss father
was Prof. George r. Bliss and his
mothers name was Mary Ann Ray
mond. The father was a Baptist
preacher. a graduate of Colgate Uni
versity, and he assisted in organizing
BuckneIl University, where he served
as professor of Greek and Latin for 10
years. For several months he was
acting president of the university and
in this beautiful little Pennsylvania
town. Tasker H Bliss spent his boy
hood and youngmanhood.
In the earlier days, Bucknell Uni
versity was known as the University
of Lewisburg and here TaslIer was
educated until in his junior year, he
was appointed to West Point. He
finished his instruction at the United
States Military Academy, the eighth
man in his class, and as conse-
quence, was commissioned as second
lieutenant in the First Artillery, his
regiment being stationed in Savannah
Ga. After serving ten years, he be-
came first lieutenant and after being
transferred to the commissary depart
ment, was promoted to captaincy pc
ing stationed in Washington, D. c. For
four years he served as instructor in
French at West Point and one year IN
mathematics.
At the request of the secretary of the
navy, he was assigned to Newport to
organize the department of military
strategy in the Naval War College, and
served one term as adjltant of the ar
tillery school at Fortress Monroe When
relations with Spain were rather siren
uous, Captain Bliss served as military
attache to the embassy in Spain ana
when war was. declared, was the last
man to cross the frontier, During
the war, he was attached to General
Wilson's staff and was promoted TO
lieutenant coloner. serving as chief of
staff to General Wilson during the
war.
When the war with Spain ended
Colonel Bliss was detached to go to
Havana. where he served as chief of
the customs department and re- organ
lied it for the new Cuban administra-
ton, When he became hrigadier-gen-
eraI he VS. sent to the Philippines, to
command the District Of Mindanao, and
saw a great deal of active service in
restoring order among the Moros-the
head hunters of the Fiipinos..
soon after returning from his Phil
innina service. he was made comman-
dor Of the department of the south anC
was in command of the cavalry dlVlS-
ion. Later he served at washington
as assistant chief of staff and When
General Scott retired a few months
ago General Bliss became chief OF the
entire army. He is the highest RANK
mo officer in the American army anC
is one of only six men who were maze
generals. ,,,
Anderson. of Rosemont, near thha-
daInhia. and he was two children
LoT and girl. Captain Goring Bliss
bic son is with the U. S. Engineers
General Bliss is very reticent in his
,l,onneY, and is a man of few words
lie is devoted to military matters anc
Iae n1aved a prominent part IN de-
-io1n,,ino the United States army and
z,,,inoinp if to a state of efficiency.