Houghton Civil War Letters

Andover Feb 10 1863 Mr. Warren Dear Friend I hope you will excuse my tardiness in acknoweldging your letter containing fifteen dollars. I have been quite unwell for a few days but am well now.

You asked me what berth I wanted if I went to sea. I did not expect any berth but that of a common sailor.

As to staying with Mr. Hayward I should like it very much if I could not go as a soldier or sailor. He was ever kind to me and shall allways remember the two years and a half spent on his place as a bright spot in my life. I have not writen for a

catalogue of Norwich Uni yet. I have not given up all hope of going there. I mean to go there or some other good military school yet and finish my education (underlined)

Our religous interest is still kept up and I hope I profited by them. I do not live as I ought I know but I pray for strength and I ask your prayers allso.

I am sorry to Herbert is so sick. I hope he will soon be better.

You spoke about my spending my vacation here. I do not hardly wish to but if you think best I will.

I should like to have you come and see me verry much.

How slowly this war drags along. It is either to muddy or else to dry to hot or to cold and

whatever the weather we have it is not the kind to suit our splendid (underlined) generals. With the exception of general Burnside all our the principles our generals seem to have (our leading ones I mean) is to feather their own nest well and lay the blame on the other men shoulders. But general Burnside "the noblest Roman of them all" takes all the blame on himself while things which come to light of there own accord show that he was not wholy to blame but that some of his generals acted in such a maner that if they had had a Napoleon instead of a Burnside they might not be where they are to day.

You see I am trying to put your advice into practice and to be cheerfull.

I received a letter yesterday

from Uncle Abraham. He seem cheerful and happy.

But as it is getting late I must close. Please give my regards to Mrs. Warren and tell Herbert I hope he will soon be out again.

Yours Truly Eugene C. Houghton

[Eugen - Marelo?] Andover Mar 3 1'63

Mr. Warren

Dear friend I am sorry there was such an ambiguity in my last letter but I will try to make this one plainer. Mr Hayward wrote to me and asked me if I would come and help him hay during my summer vacation. I do not remember the exact words I wrote back but it amounted to this perhaps I would come.

I received a letter from Mr H, asking me to come and stay with him a year and I will give you the exact words I wrote to him as follows. "There is but one objection and that is this. I wish to finish the

Academic year here at Andover. When that is through I will come and be your servant for a year or more. I wish to come very much but I do not think it is right to make you wait untill that time."

What I wrote to him are my wishes. I wish to finish the year here at all events and then I will go to Mr Hayward or any where esle although I should prefer going to war or sea than to going any where but Mr Haywards.

If I do not go to Mr H.'s will you give your consent for me to go to war or to sea.

The revival is still going on although the interest is some-what abated. Please remember to Mrs Warren. Yours Truly, Eugene C Houghton