In May 1863 the regiment was transferred first to Kentucky in the Department of the Ohio, then to the IX Corps, with whom Colonel Bliss command participated in the capture of Jackson, Mississippi. In August 1863 he assumed command of the 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, XI Corps, and would lead it for the next year.
The IX Corps, an independent unit not officially assigned to any army, took part in General Ulysses S. Grants 1864 Overland Campaign and fought in the Wilderness and at Petersburg. In July 1864 his troops participated in the disastrous assault at the Battle of the Crater, and Colonel Bliss was officially cited for not being with his brigade in the attack. The aftermath of that debacle saw him returning to command of the 7th Rhode Island, which he led until his muster out of Volunteer service in June 1865 (having briefly led his division in March and April). Returning to his Regular Army rank of Captain, he would subsequently serve in the 8th Infantry, the all-African American 25th Infantry, the 19th Infantry and as commander of the Department of Texas.He would rise to Major General, and would retire at his own request in 1897, having served 43 years in the service of the United States. His Medal of Honor citation reads This officer, to encourage his regiment; which had never before been in action, and which had been ordered to lie down to protect itself from the enemy's fire, arose to his feet, advanced in front of the line, and himself fired several shots at the enemy at short range, being fully exposed to their fire at the time. His Medal was issued on December 30, 1898.
The item "Civil War CDV Union Colonel Zenas Bliss 7th/10th RI Medal of Honor Fredericksbur" is in sale since Monday, April 20, 2020. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Photographs". The seller is "civil_war_photos" and is located in Midland, Michigan. This item can be shipped worldwide.