George J. Maguolo letter to Father - August 25, 1918
Transcript
Base Hospital #48. [August] 25, 1918. Dear Father - I am glad to be able to tell you that I am out of bed and up all day. Really feel very well. It should not be long now before they discharge me from this hospital. The meals are very good here and I have regained my appetite. You could get a good idea of the effects of war by seeing the many mutulated patients here. The U. S. A. is certainly making tremendous efforts. Their hospital trains are indeed a perfection. It is a pleasure to hear the American locomotive whistles in contrast to the shrill high pitched French machines. Yesterday I took a walk out in the country to a farm house. The pheasants were very good to me and brought out a quart of milk and three fresh eggs. Yesterday a letter from Ray Herbert tells that he and Simpson are in the same department of works as I.
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[page 2] They probably would be under me if I were back. My Major has sent word of inquiry as to my condition. From a recent letter he is anxious to get me back. - Ordinarily these convalesents are sent to a redistribution camp, and new companies formed and vaccencies filled. - Major Walker, my commanding officer, will see that I get back in headquarters. When in the worst stage of my trouble the doctors said they were going to send me back to the “States”! nothing has been done since so I expect that has fallen through. You can bet I was some excited at the time. Do you know that I think the lung trouble I had is due to “gas.” While with the French 2nd Army during last March & April I was caught in a “barrage” and retreated to a dug out. Must of inhaled a little as I only had
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a poor French Mask. This evidently started something for I had sharp pains in the right lung shortly after. Pleurisy set in and sent me to the hospital. Am O. K. now so don’t worry. It is now a month that I have been in dispenseries and hospitals. Mail is not forwarded so nothing has reached me. I suspect that Marc has written me. [August] 27 Am feeling much better and improving daily. Several doctors gave me an examination this morning and concluded that it would not be necessary to send me back to the United States. Instead I am to be sent to the sea coast probably to Bordeaux. Shall remain there as a convalescent until I am entirely recovered. From what the nurse tells me, it is a beautiful place
Transcript
with splendid accomidations. They must take these precautions with lung cases. Please don’t think I have gone into consumption or tuberculosis. My lungs are now normal but weak and they must grow strong again with out exertion. Ain’t I the lucky guy for seeing France! Really excepting a few cities on the Mediterranean I have been all over the country and in the trenches twice. Take a look at this rough map – it shows the lines of travel – [sketch of map] Sincerely, [Corporal] [George] Maguolo 29th Engineers Co H. Base Hospital #48 [censors signature]
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Father - August 25, 1918 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Father. 25 August 1918. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his Father on August 25, 1918 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company H and served in France until 1919. Maguolo wrote this letter from a hospital in Mars, France while being treated for pleurisy. Maguolo mentioned that he believed his lungs had been injured when he was gassed while training with the French 2nd Army. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--War Work-- Red Cross |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Base Hospital #48 |
| 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 | August 25, 1918 |
| Language | English |