Zenas Bliss - Postbellum Career

Postbellum Career

Bliss remained in the Regular Army after the Civil War and was promoted to major of the 30th Infantry Regiment (a unit with black soldiers and white officers) on August 6, 1867. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the 19th Infantry on March 4, 1879, and to colonel of the 24th Infantry on April 20, 1886. Bliss was promoted to brigadier general in the Regular Army April 24, 1895, and to major general on May 14, 1897. He retired from the Army eight days later on May 22. Including his four years at West Point, Bliss had served 46 years, 10 months and 22 days in uniform when he retired.

Bliss was a member of the District of Columbia Commandery of the Loyal Legion and was assigned insignia number 2601.

Zenas Bliss died in Washington, D.C. January 2, 1900, at age 64. He is buried alongside his wife at Arlington National Cemetery at Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 1, lot 8-B. The Bliss family had four children, two of whom lived to adulthood. He was the father of Zenas Work Bliss (1867 - 1957) who served as lieutenant governor of Rhode Island from 1910 to 1913.