Military Career
Bliss entered the United States Military Academy on September 1, 1829. He showed very great mathematical gifts while a student. He graduated July 1, 1833 (not yet 18 years old) as a Second Lieutenant in the 4th Infantry Regiment. It was his choice to serve in the infantry.
He served in the Fort Mitchell army garrison in Alabama from 1833 to 1834. During 1835 he was involved in operations against the Cherokee during Indian Removal, which removed most of them to Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River.
From October 2, 1834 until January 4, 1840, Bliss served as Assistant Professor of Mathematics at West Point. As a Captain, he served as Chief of Staff from 1840 until 1841 to Brig. Gen. Walker Keith Armistead, the Commanding General in the Seminole Wars. He served at Fort Smith, Arkansas and at Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
In 1845 Bliss took part in the United States military occupation of the Republic of Texas, prior to its annexation. Between April 1846 and November 1847, he took part in the Mexican War, including fighting in the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. His performance gained a promotion to major on May 9, 1846. He fought in the Battle of Buena Vista and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1847 for gallant and meritorious service.
During his service in Texas and in Mexico he served under Major-General Zachary Taylor. Bliss was noted for his efficiency and skills as a high-level aide. His writing was simple, elegant, vigorous, and picturesque. He was cheerful and popular with the public.
Read more about this topic: William Wallace Smith Bliss
Famous quotes containing the words military and/or career:
“There was somewhat military in his nature, not to be subdued, always manly and able, but rarely tender, as if he did not feel himself except in opposition. He wanted a fallacy to expose, a blunder to pillory, I may say required a little sense of victory, a roll of the drum, to call his powers into full exercise.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“Work-family conflicts—the trade-offs of your money or your life, your job or your child—would not be forced upon women with such sanguine disregard if men experienced the same career stalls caused by the-buck-stops-here responsibility for children.”
—Letty Cottin Pogrebin (20th century)