Obituary & Diary of Jerome E. Bliss
A Veteran Soldier of the 97th NY Volunteer Infantry
Contributed by Great Grandson Robert Youker
Mr. Bliss fought the entire Civil War in the 97th, the celebrated "Conkling Rifles."
Jerome Bliss Obituary
Friday, July 25, 1913
Veteran of the Civil War
Jerome E. Bliss, a Prominent and Respected Citizen and Veteran Died at His Home on North Main Street Early Tuesday Morning
Tuesday morning at one o'clock at his home on North Main Street, occurred the death of Jerome E. Bliss, a highly respected, well known and prominent resident of this village. Mr. Bliss suffered a stroke of paralysis about two years ago and from that time on had been practically helpless, but was not confined to his bed until seven weeks ago. Mr. Bliss was a kind hearted man, loving husband and father and a good neighbor.
Mr. Bliss is a third member of that family to pass away within five months, two sisters having died since February last. He was born at Stratford, November 1841 and came to this village 29 years ago where he has since resided, following the occupation of carpenter. He was a son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Jefferson M. Bliss of Emmonsburg and was united in marriage to Emogene Cramer, daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Cramer of Lotville, at Little Falls, January 1st, 1866. Mr. Bliss was a member of Spofford Post, G. A. R., of this village.
He enlisted from Boonville Co., N.Y., November 6, 1861, as private in Stephen G. Hutchinson's Company H., 97th Regt., N. Y. Vol. Infantry to serve three years, reenlisted on the field near Culpepper Court House, in March, 1864, veteran volunteer under Capt. Deloss Hall in the same company and regiment, the regiment under command of Charles Wheelock. Served in the first brigade, 2nd division, third corps, a volunteer later in the 2nd brigade, third division, 5th corps and participated in the following battles: Cedar Mountains, August 9, Rappahanock Station, Va., August 23; Bull Run, VA., August 30; South Mountain, Md., September 14, Antietam, Md., September 17; Fredericksburg, Va., December 13, 1862; Chancellorsville, Va., May 1-3; Mine Run, Va., November 26-29, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5-7, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va., May 8-21; North Anna, Va., May 22-26, 1864' Cold Harbor, Va., June 1-12; Petersburg, Va., 17-19; Hicksford Raid, Va., Dec. 6-11, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Va., Feb. 6-7, 1865 where he was wounded in the left leg by gun shot and sent to City Point Hospital, Va., for five days, then transferred to Baltimore, Md., three weeks then to Germantown Hospital, Philadelphia, PA., where he remained six weeks and then to Chestnut Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., for two months and was honorably discharged June 14, 1865.
Deceased is survived by his widow and two daughters Mrs. George H. Braybrook of North Main Street and Mrs. Edward Youker of St. Johnsville, two brothers, Eugene Bliss of this village and Frank Bliss of Little Falls, two sisters Helen Bliss of Little Falls and Mrs. Fred Savage of New York city, six nephews Eugene Knapp of Emmonsburg, Floyd Knapp of Schenectady, Frank Mallett of Herkimer, Charles Bliss of this village, Jay Bliss of Little Falls and Carl Bliss of New York city and eight nieces Marion Knapp of New York city Mrs. Fred Metzler, Mrs. Harvey Savage and Mrs. John Cooney of Little Falls and Miss Florence Mallett of this village, Mrs. Charles Glover of Syracuse, Mrs. Albert Shepardson and Miss Anna Bliss of this village and three grandchildren Bliss and Robert Youker of St. Johnsville and one granddaughter Miss Emma Braybrook, a member of the training class for nurses in the Albany City Hospital.
The funeral services were held from the late residence yesterday (Thursday) afternoon at 2:30 o'clock Rev. C. A. Moulton pastor of the Universalist church officiating. Interment was made in the Dolgeville cemetery.
Excerpt from Diary of Jerome Bliss, Gettysburg Battle, 1863
June 25, 1863
Neer Broad Run Virginia
We went to have a company drill but we got order to march and left here at 11 o'clock and
crossed the potomac river __ Maryland at 2 oclock. We went to Barnesville
June 26
Neer Barnesville Maryland
We got here about 9 oclock tonight it rained all day we left here at 6 oclock this morning &
marched to Jefferson Citty Maryland we got here about 3 oclock we had to go on picket guard.
June 27
Neer Jefferson Citty M.D.
We drawed rations and we left here at 9 oclock and went about two miles beyond Middletown M.D.
June 28
Neer Middletown Maryland
We had an inspection of arms. I bought som onions and a canteen full of milk & a chick &
some..... it cost me 60 cents. I got it yesterday. We left here today at 9 oclock and went to Frederick City
June 29
Neer Frederick city Maryland
We left here about 6 oclock and went to Emitsburg. We got here about 8 oclock. It rained all day. I got
a pass today to fall to the rear. I bought a loaf of Bread.
June 30
Neer Emitsburg Maryland
We left here about 8 oclock and went about 3 miles. We encamped in the State of Pennsylvania. I am a Brigade guard today
July 1
About one mile form Emitsburg in Pennsylvania
We left here about 1 oclock and got to Gettysburg penn at noon. Our men & the rebels had a hard battle our
corps was in it we had to fall back.
July 2
Neer Gettysburg Pennsylvania
General Reynolds got killed yesterday. We had a lot of men killed and wounded in our rgt. yesterday our Colonel
was wounded & taken prisoner. Our men had a hard fight today but we held the rebels in check.
July 3
Neer Gettysburg penn
Our men & the rebels had a hard fight but our division want in the fight. Our men took a lot of rebels prisoners.
July 4
Neer Gettysburg Pennsylvania
Our rgt went out on skirmishing last night. I did not go with them. We got some ratinos today. It rained very hard.
Today I got under a barn. The rebels has been retreating.
July 5
Neer Gettysburg Pennsylvania
Our rgt went out to skirmish with the rebels & they found out that the rebels had gone. We drawed rations today.
I got a letter from Louisa Bliss. We moved a little aways.
July 6
Neer Gettysburg Pennsylvania
We left here at 7 oclock this morning & went within one mile of Emitsburg & camped all night. It rained all night.
"Jerome's wife Imogene Bliss was one of the last real Civil War widows, 1949 died at age 102 on North Main St. Dolgeville. She was a Cramer from Lottville. I knew her. Not one of the child brides. Jerome was the son of Jefferson Bliss, a farmer in Emmonsberg NY. Their daughter Maggie Bliss was my grandmother."
Obituary and photos of Imogene C. Bliss, one of the last Civil War widows in the Mohawk Valley.
"Here is the sign at Hatchers Run. Spofford was second in command. Since Spofford and Jerome both lived in Dolgeville, I wonder if they got together and discussed the day they both were shot. The last two years we have been visiting the various battle sites, including Hatchers Run, where he and Spofford were wounded on Feb 7, 1865 just before the end of the war. The one thing I noticed is how far they marched. They have a 97th Infantry group that meets in Dolgeville. "
Photo of battlefield information sign at Hatcher's Run, where the 97th Vol. Inf. fought Feb. 5 - 7, 1865. Contributed by Bob Youker.
Photo of battlefield road sign at Hatcher's Run. Contributed by Bob Youker.
Read more about the 97th New York Vols.
Herkimer County Members of the 97th NY Infantry ("Conkling Rifles"), Companies A, D, E, F, G, H, I and K
97th Infantry Regiment, Civil War - Third Oneida; Boonville Regiment; Conkling Rifles (link to another site)