George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - Februay 27, 1918
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[page 1] France [February] 27, 1918 Dear Folks – Received some mail today. A letter from Cousin John and one from “Mere,” both forwarded from Camp Devens. America’s letter is dated January 18th. I was very glad to get a word from the other side. Am in the same location as when I wrote the last letter. Nothing very important has happened and it continues to rain day after day. The mud is very deep and if it were not for these fine French roads we could hardly get around. However I am fortunate enough to be working at a drafting board, and therefore am inside most of the time I enjoy the work very much and hope someday to advance myself.
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[page 2] the evenings are usually spent at the Y. M. C. A. huts where there is usually a program of some sort. We have two military bands here who furnish music most every evening. Important men who pass through here often volunteer to speak. Just yesterday evening an officer from Belgium spoke of his experiences. These talks serve to make one “love” the “Bosche” more and more. Some of their atrocities are beyond belief! Last Sunday I went to Church in a small town near by. A high mass was being held in the Cathedral. It gave me a weird feeling to hear the echos of the choir in the lofty vaulted ceiling. It was thrilling to see the tall smokey candles on the brilliantly decorated altar. I was somewhat
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[page 3] surprised to find the choir and altar set apart in a kind of inclosure. There were numerous small chapels on either side of the aisles and around the apse. The foot worn stone pavement and straw seated chairs were also new to me. I must confess that this church has the most beautiful stained glass windows I have ever seen. Of course I had seen pictures of the above. One thing however entirely new was, (a custom of theirs probably) a man dressed in black, wearing a napoleon hat, a sword at his side and carrying a staff, proceeded the priest everywhere, particularly at the collecting. Do they have such a custom in Italy? I hope to find out some day.
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[page 4] Ray and I continue to chum together. We have bought a little sketching out fit. Below are listed the articles and their costs. 3 [francs] 90 [centimes] a sketch book – 1 [franc] 50 [centimes] A porcelain palate – 1 [franc] 57 [centimes] three sizes of brushes – 1 [franc] 0 three tubs of water color R. B. & Y- 1 [franc] 25 [centimes] A “non spill” palate cup 9 [francs] 22 [centimes] So you see I got the outfit which is pretty good for 9 Franks 22 [centimes]. the rate of exchange is 5 [francs] 70 [centimes] per dollar. this would make $1.60 our money. the same out fit would cost over $3.00 in the States I am sure. Sunday afternoon we went to the town and made a couple of sketches. There is wonderful material for such, but the
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[page 5] continual rainy weather makes outdoor work impossible. Sorry I cant send you architectural sketches. The letters I wrote while away date [January] 18-20-13- [February] 5-9-16-21 1 2 3 4 5 6 the numbers below the brackets denote the number of different stops since I left Camp Devens. So you see I have written three times since in this camp (Are you continuing to save my letters which will when collected, form a sort of diary) Am inclosing a little drawing I made the other day showing our equipment. Since you have never seen me in uniform and know so little of army life and camping methods I thought it
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[page 6] would give you some idea. the pack we carry, which is indeed very complete and far superior to either the French or English (Have seen Italian [Bersaglieri] but not there equipment) weighs between 20 and 40 lbs. The barrack bag which is usually shipped, weights probably 60lbs. these two comprise all we own. (At present we do not have a rifle) I find plenty of comfort in this equipment. America’s equipment is very similar except he carries a trench shovel and boots, and wears a long overcoat. Have not heard from you as yet but still have hopes – Don’t worry as all is well – Sincerely [Private] George Maguolo 447th Engineers adr. [General Headquarters] A.E.F.
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[sketch of soldier] Rear Front Side EQUIPMENT CARRIED [sketch of equipment carrier labeled alphabetically] Front Back [sketch of individual items in the equipment carrier] Sewing outfit Mirror Muffler Helmet Wrislets Salt Coffee Sugar (Divided can) Toilet Kit Rope Towel Knittings Ration Cans Bacon Can Mess Kit Dish towel Traveling Toilet Articles Metal mirror leather covers Blankets Tent pole Tent pins Pack Unrolled Rolled Tent erected (other half suppled by mate) (for 2 men) Belt “Safety First” Water Bottle Cup (Collapsible handle)
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[sketch of poncho] Slit for Head “Poncho” (Rubber blanket) Poncho folded & buttoned for sleeping bag. Poncho used as raincoat. [sketches of equipment] Barrack Bag. Extra Uniform Shoes Underware Bed Tick (Filled with straw and used as mattress in barracks.) ½ Doz. towels 1 Doz. H’ K’r-ch Extra Shirt 4 pair socks Fatigue Suit Flash light Overseas Cap Horsehide Gloves Spiral leggings Recent “aquirements” Soap & brush Shoe polish & brush Buttons Extra face soap [Extra] shoe strings Hair tonic - etc French books (2). Writing material Miscl. Articles Blue Red Yellow sketch outfit. Shall try and show the English and French some time. – [Private] George Maguolo 447th Engineers A. E. F.
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[sketch of German rifle labeled numerically] Assembly of Gun – In following order – barrel in stock – 2 – 4 – 7 – 8 – 6 - 3 - 5- 9- 1
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - Februay 27, 1918 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 27 February 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 February 27, 1918 while in France. Maguolo was in the 447th Depot Detachment, 25th Engineers and served in the 29th Engineers in France until 1919. In this letter Maguolo explained how he spent his free time. In the last pages of the letter Maguolo included detailed sketches of his own equipment and a German rifle. This letter was written on Y.M.C.A. letterhead. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--War Work--Y. M. C. A.; United States. Army--Uniforms |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Equipment |
| 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 27, 1918 |
| Language | English |