Born in Whitehall, New York. Graduate of West Point in 1833. He taught math at West Point 1835 to 1840. Served as adjutant to General Zachary Taylor in the Mexican campaign. Saw action at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palmo, Monterey and Buena Vista. He married Mary Elizabeth, the daughter of Zachary Taylor. (Another daughter married Jefferson Davis.)

Taylor was relatively uneducated while Bliss was a noted scholar. Bliss wrote much of Taylor's official reports and correspondence. Bliss served as private secretary to the president March 4, 1849, until July 9, 1850. After the death Taylor, Bliss was assigned as adjutant-general in New Orleans. He died at East Pascagoula, Mississippi.

Bliss was honored with a gold medal (Julian MI-28) commissioned by the State of New York. Dies were by Charles Cushing Wright. The gold medal was believed to be unique until a second was donated to the ANS in 1984.

bio: ApCAB; Drake; CW 12/26/84