The following letter was written by William Oren Ensign (1841-1918), the son of Caleb Wadhams Ensign (b. 1790) and Orpha Deming (b. 1795) of Madison, Lake county, Ohio. William enlisted on 20 August 1862 to serve as a corporal in the 14th Ohio Independent Battery—a light artillery unit. He was in the battery for three years, mustering out in August 1864. Serving with him in the same battery was his younger brother, Herbert Dwight Ensign (1844-1898).

“Removing to Illinois in 1865, he again engaged in teaching, after which, in June, 1866, he entered the office of Dr. Henry A. Almy, of Rutland, Ill., …During the lecture course of 1867-’68, he matriculated in the Charity Hospital Medical College, now University of Wooster, Cleveland, Ohio, pursing the study of medicine between courses, until graduation, …After graduation, Feb 25, 1868, Dr. Ensign returned to Rutland, Ill., where he has since been engaged in the general practice of medicine …Married, in 1869, Miss Frances J., second daughter of the late Dr. Henry A. Almy, of Rutland, Ill.” [Source: Find-A-Grave] 

Transcription

14th Battery, OVA
Lynnville, Tennessee
December 18, 1863
Via Nashville

Dear Niece,

Both your letter and Clara’s mailed at Madison December 2nd have just been received, and I cannot account for so great a delay unless they have been to Memphis on their way; therefore in the future, direct according to the above address and if the letters do not come through in good time, then we will try another address. I have been looking for your letter some time before I received it and at last it has come. We now have a mail every other day and I can only compare mail days here to Valentine’s Day at home when all the school children hang about the post office and there is full as much joy over the reception of a letter here as a valentine by children at home.

Clara says that you sent me a Tribune for which I am much obliged to you. It has been received and I could not think who it came from unless Hattie for she is the only person who has sent papers to me heretofore. We Nashville, Louisville, and Cincinnati papers here occasionally for only ten cents per copy. I have serious thoughts of taking the Tribune for the six monthsto come as I am anxious to know what Congress is up to.

The weather here is quite pleasant and I have not seen a snowflake this season and I hope I shall not be troubled with a great many this winter. I think very likely Aunt Augusta Safford will be very apt to hear from me if she desires it so much. I will commence today to look for a letter from John Safford and continue to do so until it comes.

Yourself, Clara, and Orpha must have fun times this winter attending school at Seminary. I shall never forget the happy hours I have spent at that notorious seat of learning for the township of Madison and vicinity.

Herbert went up to Columbia a day or two ago and as he is writing you a letter today, I suppose he will tell you all about it, and how dry he was when he got back.

The railroad is not open along here yet but we confidently hope that it will be in a few days when we shall seem to be considerable nearer home. When the railroad is really opened, however, we shall probably leave here to go to Columbia or the other side of Pulaski—I hope to the former.

I am sorry that our own state is not able to keep John H. Morgan after he was captured and duly turned over to the authorities for safekeeping. Canadian conspiracies seem to be checked for the present and I hope forever. The President’s Annual Message has been lain before Congress and it is sound to the core. We ought to be thankful that we have such an honest, upright and able man in the Presidential chair.

Knoxville is safe and Longstreet fleeing from pursuit. His East Tennessee campaign is an utter failure. Good! I see that Mr. Foote of Tennessee, a member of the Rebel Congress, has offered some resolutions before that body in regard to the exchange of prisoners which looks towards a recognition of our colored soldiers as such. I like the President’s determination not to exchange unless every man who wears the blue uniform is recognized as a soldier of the United States.

Well, I must come to a close. Write often. Remember me to your parents and all the friends also to Grandmother Safford. I will write to Clara so as to have it go out with mail.

Your friend, — Will