John McKnight Bloss (January 21, 1839 – April 26, 1905)[1] was an American Civil War soldier who had an influence on the Battle of Antietam and was later President of Oregon Agricultural College (now Oregon State University) from 1892 until 1896.

[2] Bloss fought on the Union side with the 27th Indiana Infantry Regiment.

He was one of the soldiers who helped recover Special Order 191, "Lee's Lost Dispatch", which provided detailed Confederate troop movements from General Robert E. Lee's plans, during the Battle of Antietam.

[4] Bloss fought and was wounded in several battles, including Antietam, before he resigned in 1864.

[2] In April 1892, Bloss was selected as the third president of Oregon State University,[2] but retired in 1896 due to his failing health.