A transcription of the letter is below.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transcription by Nadia Shahab Diaz, class of 2017

Andover Jan 22, 1862

Mr. Warren,

Dear freind, I

Received yours of the 20th this moment.
I guess I did leave out the five
dollars you gave me in Boston.
I don’t think I shall got to
Norwich at present if you think
I had better not and only stay this
year here at Andover.
You wished me to write my
ideas about going south and teaching
Negroes. I have not patience
enough to be a teacher even if I
knew enough and if I had
bothe of these requisite qualities,
I have not enough philanthropy to
do so. I think it is a great
work and I honor them that are engaged [[end page]]

[[start page]] in it but I never can myself.
I shall try (with your consent)
again to enlist and if they will
not take me in the army I will
go to Sea, there is nothing else
I am fit for, I shall never
make anything in this world.
to tell you the truth Mr. Warren,
I am discouraged. I try to learn
but I cannot retrain it, every thing
I put my hand to, I seem to turn
upside down.

I do wrong perhaps in writing
to you in this tone but I cannot
help it it is ungratefull and
I will write no more.

I am getting along pretty well
in my studies considering all
things I am nearly through my
Arithmetic.
The religious interest remains
unabated. I received a letter
from Mr. Haymard the other
day. he said he should like to
have me come and help him hay
next summer vacation if I had
no other plans laid out, I wrote
and told him perhaps I would come.
I had other plans but as my funds
are so low I will forgo them I
think.
The Board bill is nearly due,
it will be ahead $18. or $19. and I have
got to get some more wood, I had
to get oak and most of it small
at that bec walnut was not to be
had at any price and oak is
$8.00 a cord. I shall want about
$25.00 and then I shall not need any
more untill the end of the term.

I am in good health and
weigh one hundred and twenty lb.
Please give my regard to Mrs.
Warren.

Yours truly,
Eugene C. Houghton
Oliver Wendell Holmes Library || Phillips Academy