William Ennis

William Ennis (December 26, 1841 – September 30, 1938) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Civil War, American Indian Wars, and Spanish–American War, he attained the rank of brigadier general, and was most notable for his command of several Field Artillery and Coast Artillery posts and districts.

A native of Newport, Rhode Island, Ennis was educated in local public and private schools before attending the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1864. Commissioned a second lieutenant of Field Artillery, Ennis served in the Union Army at the end of the American Civil War and participated in campaigns and battles in Tennessee and Alabama, in addition to the Defenses of Washington.

After the war, Ennis served in Field Artillery and Coast Artillery assignments of increasing rank and responsibility throughout the United States, in addition to long service as aide-de-camp to General John Schofield. While serving in California in the late 1870s, he participated in campaigns of the Nez Perce War and Bannock War. During the Spanish–American War, he commanded a siege artillery battalion during combat in Cuba. After returning to the United States he commanded the Artillery District of Baltimore and Artillery District of Narragansett, and was promoted to colonel in April 1903. On November 7, 1905, Ennis was promoted to brigadier general under the provisions of a law permitting Union Army veterans still on active duty to be advanced one grade before retiring, and he retired the same day, shortly before reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64.

In retirement, Ennis resided in Newport. He died in Newport on September 30, 1938. Ennis was buried at Island Cemetery in Newport.

Early life William Ennis was born in Newport, Rhode Island on December 26, 1841, the son of attorney William Ennis (1801–1849) and Eliza Ann (Whitehorne) Ennis (1803–1894). He was educated in the public and private schools of Newport, and began attendance at the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1860. Ennis graduated in June 1864, and was ranked 20th of 27. He received his commission as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery and joined the Union Army during the American Civil War. They were in their seats approximately six or seven rows from the stage when the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln by John Wilkes Booth took place.

After returning to United States, he resumed command of the battery at Washington Barracks. According to Ennis, he heard no complaints about the canned beef issued to the army during the war, but often found that he could not eat himself because it left him nauseated. In 1937, this provision was extended to individuals who had graduated before 1926. They were the parents of four children, two of whom lived to adulthood.

Son William P. Ennis was a career army officer who attained the rank of brigadier general. William P. Ennis, the son of William Peirce Ennis, was also a career army officer, and he attained the rank of lieutenant general.

Effective dates of rank The dates of Ennis's promotions were:

Second Lieutenant, June 13, 1864 First Lieutenant (Brevet), November 30, 1864 First Lieutenant, May 8, 1866 Captain, October 5, 1887 Lieutenant Colonel (temporary), July 18, 1898 Captain, December 31, 1898 Major, March 18, 1899 Lieutenant Colonel, August 1, 1901 Colonel, April 17, 1903 Brigadier General, November 7, 1905 Brigadier General (Retired), November 7, 1905