George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - August 18, 1918
Transcript
Mars-Sur-Alliers Hospital #48 [August] 18, 1918. Dear Folks – I have been taken to another hospital, perhaps a hundred miles southwest from the first one. If you look at your map of France you will see that “Mars” is about eight miles south of “Nevers” (in the middle of France.) I sincerely hope you have interest enough in this war to have a large size map of France on the wall all the time. the old battle line marked and glass headed pins marking the new positions. You will be glad to know I am rapidly improving and by now can breathe almost normal with my right lung. Am also out of bed most of the day. This is a very large place. It is a city of hospital barracks. The location is very fine, over looking a low valley with a cool breeze all the time. - We have fine beds and eat excellent meals. Good white bread all the time.
Transcript
[page 2] A part of this camp is still under construction and I have a hunch Emil Reutner must be at work around here. Due to the great numbers it is difficult to find any one. Last night was a beautiful moon light. (When back at the lines this means air raids, etc. but here all is quiet and peaceful). It reminded me of an evening in Forest Park at home. The “Red Cross” furnished a little program in the open air. A sheet was nailed up on the side of an uncompleted barracks and we had a seven reel picture show. Also a violinist gave a few solos. He was an artist from the Madalene in Paris. We were also entertained by a chorus of nurses. They are a group of Illinois University nurses College graduates of 1914. It was a peculiar audience in pajamas mostly seated on the ground wrapped in blankets. There are many stories of experiences told here. A fellow in a bed next to mine with a shell through his lungs tells a good one.
Transcript
His company was making an attack, one early morning. As they pushed on into the machine gun nests they were greatly surprised to find one german gunner shooting backwards into his own men. They captured him of course and he was brought before the Co. Major. They were further surprised to hear him speak exc. English and salute in American fashion. It developed that he was once a Captain in the U. S. Army the major remembered having served under him as a sergeant during the early Mexican trouble. He is now a valuable source of information. - He tells that a common expression among the Bosche soldiers is. “Gott is still mit uno.” But the Americans are with the Allies.” You can plainly see that time hangs heavy on my hands when I fill a letter with stuff like this. There is a dozen or so coons in the beds across the aisle suffering from gas and shell-shock. They just come in from the lines, yet the whole gang are smiling & happy.
Transcript
It is funny to listen to these people tell of there experiences in true nigar style. I have not heard from Marc for sometime but of course no mail reaches me until I get back. Continue to address my mail as usual for anything sent here is sure to get lost. It strikes me that if Louis has not already acted, now is the time to get into some war work, shipyards, etc. anything to avoid the draft and coming here. He is now 18 or so as I remember and the infantry or navy is no place for him. There should be good paying jobs in industrial work. Two of us running a risk is enough don’t you think? Do the government allotments of $15 continue to be paid to you? Regards to all Sincerely [Corporal] [George] Maguolo 29th Engineers Co. H. [General Headquarters] American Expeditionary Forces. [censors signature]
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - August 18, 1918 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 18 August 1918. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his parents on August 18, 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. In the letter he described the conditions of the hospital including meals, entertainment, etc. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--War Work-- Red Cross; World War, 1914-1918--African Americans |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I |
| 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 18, 1918 |
| Language | English |