Military Bliss entered the
United States Military Academy at
West Point, New York, on September 1, 1829, at the age of 14. He showed very great skills in mathematics, and graduated July 1, 1833, at age 17, and was commissioned as a
second lieutenant in the
4th Infantry Regiment. He had requested an assignment in that branch. 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 in the Southeast, which forced most of them onto
Indian Territory west of the Mississippi River. On October 2, 1834, the 19 year-old Bliss began as an assistant professor of mathematics at West Point, a position he held until January 4, 1840. Promoted to
captain, he served as chief of staff to
Brigadier General Walker Keith Armistead, the commanding general in the
Seminole Wars, from 1840 until 1841. From 1841 until 1845 he served as a staff officer at
Fort Smith, Arkansas, and at
Fort Jesup,
Louisiana. Also in 1845, Bliss took part in the United States military occupation of the
Republic of Texas prior to its late December annexation. Between April 1846 and November 1847 he took part in the
Mexican War, including fighting in the battles of
Palo Alto,
Resaca de la Palma and
Buena Vista. He was brevetted to
major in May 1846, and again to
lieutenant colonel in February 1847, for gallant and meritorious service. During his entire service in
Texas and
Mexico, he served as chief of staff to
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.
Political President-elect Zachary Taylor appointed Bliss his
Private Secretary, who took leave from the Army to fill his new role. The President's wife took no part in formal social events, and delegated the
First Lady's social role to the Taylor's daughter Mary Elizabeth (Bliss), who assumed the role of
White House hostess at the age of 22. The popular young Blisses seemed destined to become powerful figures in
Washington. The president died suddenly in July 1850. Bliss and his wife Mary accompanied her mother to
Pascagoula, Mississippi. She died there in 1852, at the home of another daughter. Bliss resumed his military service, and was assigned as Adjutant-General of the Western Division of the Army. He died of illness in 1853. ==Intellectual pursuits==