His mother died in 1842, leaving Eugene's care in the hands of his remaining sisters. He educated himself in the fields of botany, chemistry, and physics, but his continued precarious health led doctors to suggest a change in climate, so in 1848 he traveled to Washington, D.C., with his eldest brother Julius, who was returning to his job at the U.S. Coast Survey.
Eugene's mother died in 1842, leaving him under the care of his sisters. He pursued self-education in botany, chemistry, and physics due to health concerns. Doctors advised a change of climate, so he traveled to Washington D.C. with his brother Julius in 1848.