George J. Maguolo letter to Dad - February 11, 1919
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[cover page] Verily yea-and it has come to this [George Maguolo] line for letter No 66
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#66 Langres France - [February] 11, 1919. Dear dad - Your long hearelded letter has failed to reach me. Louis’s letters have stated that you wrote the semiannual letter, “mars pas encore” has it reached me. – I hope you may be receiving all my letters and packages. (#65 is inclosed in an American express package, to be mailed tomorrow). May you continue to perserve my past letters and packages. Below is a list of both which I wish you would check - Letters: [July] 12 [August] 5 [August] 14 [August] 18 [August] 27 [September] 2 [September] 8 [September] 13 [September] 15 [September] 22 [September] 29 [October] 5 [October] 20 [October] 29 [November] 12 [November] 20 [November] 24 (photo and Map) [November] 29 [January] 8 [January] 11 [January] 14 [January] 24 #64 Packages #1 Plaster Madelion - [November] 29 [check mark] #2 Wireless Dirigible - [December] 26 [check mark] #3 Helmit & Souveniors - [January] 11 [check mark] #4 Letters & mis (personnel) - [January] 14 [check mark] #5 Verdun cast - [January] 24 [check mark] #6 Chaumont [cast] - [January] 28 [check mark]#7 Langres & maps - [February] 12 [check mark]
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[page 2] I am getting awfully tired of this monotinous life – it does resemble a prison very closely, this fortification. But worst of all is the suspense of an indifinite future. For we know nothing of what kind of fatigue work we shall be compelled to do nor a probable date of return. So far we are not part of the army of occupation – thank the Lord – but there is no idea as to when we shall be released. Certainly it cannot come before May! think of it. Just this evening the company was called together to determine those who should return ahead of the rest. It turned out to be nothing but a disgusting order in which only such men whose dependents were very sick or other extreme cases will be allowed a return before this time! I can tell you that the A.E.F. is going to return a bunch
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[page 3] of socialists or Bolshevicks! Already they have had considerable trouble with the 26th and 42nd Divisions who mutinied. Just think of making men who have been fighting from 6 mo. to a year in the trenches - make roads, clear ruins and other labor work! they simply rebelled and a little killing was the result. In our case we have the beautiful suspense of knowing nothing – mere dumb animals (now that we are no longer needed) – possibly we are here three more months – perhaps a year what have we to say about it. “ (Who will determine the period of Emergency)” the basis of our oath! the point is that in our organization we have a technical body of men who have left important civilian occupations – the army will never be able to collect them again under
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[page 4] any circumstances. they know too well that the many promises made by the recruiting officials were a bunch of hot airs. the patriotic stuff published in your papers rings false in our ears. Do you read of the candy we get every 10 days – of the furloughs we get every 4 months! Will you believe me if I tell you we never saw issued candy – and one leave is a miracle! (the leave Ray & I had in Toulouse was a topic of discussion everywhere) they argue that one is sufficient. And this brings me to my point. What do you think of a Democratic country (so-called) who will deny the foreigner such as the Italians, British & Frenchman an opportunity to visit their fatherland now that the crisis is over
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[page 5] and we are so near to our relatives? Is that the thanks we get after a year of misery and humiliation? Of course a mere corporal or buck hasn’t enough brains to get form one point to another with out the assistance of the (superiors?)! The Italian government has a representative body in Paris – “La Italica gens Society” who are supposed to make possible leaves for soldiers of Italian origin. through them passage is secured from Dijon France to Turin Italy. All transportation in Italy is free to the soldier. Furthermore the g.H.Q allows 60 [cents] per day and a leave of 15 days after arrival at point of destination. BUT with all of this there is a limitation of numbers so instead of inlisted men it is the officers who are getting the benefits!
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[page 6] Who is a mere enlisted man anyway! this is strong talk and could get me in trouble – but let the censor deny any of it – if it be not the truth! I am still trusting that my leave may be granted but most of all that they will discharge me over here! As much as I am homesick and crave to see my own people – I have no desire to return to a land where the government is as rotten as ours! Certainly the rest of this year will be spent in rectifying “the blunders and reorganizing industry and men to a peace basis! During that time, I chose to remain over here – and study Architecture in a real school. Already Simpson & I have written the American Academy in Rome, who have answered favorably. And while we are
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[page 7] waiting for details – we are using the acceptance to the school as an alibi for discharge. Am I going too fast? there are two [Architecture] schools of note – Beaux Art of Paris and the American Academy of Rome – the latter of which would have the added attraction of situation! I am asking your advice – if we should be successful in gaining admittance –on the desirablity of remaining for lets say a semester (6 mo.) course as a start? Since the expenses are remarkably low I do not think finance would enter into consideration. Furthermore - a discharge over here would give me freedom to travel and see something more over here – also a vacation with my relatives. And upon return to the states – (return passage R.R. fare is refunded: steamship only
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[page 8] must be paid) there is liberty to look over the east. Living in a uniform would cheapen our current expenses (travel & lodging) and allow us liberty of caste. After this life – one can eat most anything & sleep most anywhere. I am awaiting you answer and should you find that I am not needed at home at this time believe I could take advantage of a little real study in [Architecture] design! I would like to be able to write you more on actual conditions but since we are so many slaves with our hands &tongues tied there’s nothing to do but indure. Sometimes your senator’s seem to get wise to some of the rotten conditions here and start an investigation. But what ever comes of it! Look at the Breast Port Case. the higher officers
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[page 9] start handshaking – the camps “camuflage” for the day of the investigation and then it becomes as rotten as ever! the investigators beat it to Paris to the bright lights and then publish the propaganda of how well & perfect the A.E.F. is ! So you people at home may know nothing. But I must stop here before I find myself in jail. But just one more point! Are you reading about the educational furloughs in which the A.E.F. proposes to give a qualified soldier three months leave to French Universities in order to keep occupied during this period of emergency? Herbert, Simpson & I applied several months ago and wrote to every one concerned. BUT the company commander knows nothing of such an arrangement so we must be contented to waste our young lives in this hole! – there are trench
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[page 10] Trains every day which pass through here on their way to Coblenz. the divisions come from all over so we get a fair knowledge of what is going on inspite of censorship. Does anyone know anything about the educational scheme? NO! Its some more propaganda, American made, for the American public whom live on hot air and bragging ah! I’ll admit its a damn shame! To think that our officers who are getting more now than they ever earned in civil life should be content to leave matters as they are! That they should be padding a swivel chair back in Washington at our expense! During the war one could bite his lip and swallow. But now? Are we to continue as so much cattle? As I stated in a previous letter there may be a chance for a discharge
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[page 11] I have given up hopes for the educational furlough. If a discharge were granted now it would be better than an educational furlough ect there is no chance until the regiment is ready to go home. Simpson is no longer with the Relief shops. He has been turned out on general duty. (there being practically nothing to do anyway). So I am in charge again, as before leaving for the hospitals. Lusly is getting a hard run of gaurd duty which is making him pretty sore. Last week I had a few trips which I shall tell of in another letter. I have received no pay for the past 7 months! Reason? My service record was lost somewhere – but you may read in the Saturday Evening Post of [January] 4 p. 14, where the Central records office of the A.E.F. is a marvel of efficiency! It says
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[page 12] (in the magazine) that at a moments notice the telegram will bring complete information as to a man’s record! And they have been trying to find mine for the past six months with no success yet! “Oh! you Americans with your genius for organization!” Can you beat it. And there are many others in this same post in the same fix I am. Of course I am supposed to be so stupid as to not see these blunders. - It would not be half so bad if they admitted the truth but to brag about their efficiency is too much! I have been in the army too long to ever see such. And I have faced dangers which give me the nerve to write what I think! If we come from the so called democracy – surely their soldiers should be permitted freedom of speech at least.
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[page 13] and Ray Leunkebin is in a worst condition. We are well fixed in comparison – I dare not say anymore. [sketch of Uncle Sam walking with a soldier behind him who has a leash on his neck] I hope conditions at home are favorable and that the shop may be running at least a little. No mail for a long time from America – Believe me your son George Maguolo [Corporal] Co “A” 29th [Engineers] A.P.O. #714 A.E.F. [censor’s signature] P.S. I can’t help noting the resemblence between this letter and cussing after mashing a finger in a hammar! useless but releaving.
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Dad - February 11, 1919 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Dad. 11 February 1919. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his Father on February 11, 1919 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company A and served in France until 1919. In this letter Maguolo described his daily life and explained the monotony he had experienced. Maguolo also elaborated on propaganda and how it was affecting the moral of his unit. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--Propaganda |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Brest Port Mutiny Case |
| Site Accession Number | A0969 |
| Contributing Institution | Missouri History Museum |
| Copy Request | Transmission or reproduction of items on these pages beyond those allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the Missouri History Museum: 314-746-4510 |
| Rights | The text and images contained in this collection are intended for research and educational use only. Duplication of any of these images for commercial use without express written consent is expressly prohibited. Contact the Missouri History Museum's Permissions Office at 314-746-4511 to obtain written consent. |
| Date Original | February 11, 1919 |
| Language | English |