George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - January 9, 1918
Transcript
Camp Devens [Massachusetts] January 9, 1918. Dear Folks – Suppose you have been wondering whether or not I had left. We are now packing and are to leave thursday the 10th. (Tomorrow) There is much excitement in the company for our traveling sacks are marked France. It is very probable that by Friday we will be on the high sea. (From a private source I am told the transports are at Hoboken [New Jersey]) We received a card from one of the first hundred to ship and he states that they boarded the transport immediately upon arrival. Well, I guess there is a week of sea sickness ahead for me as I could never stand any sort of riding. You may remember how the street cars effected me. But other than this I don’t believe there is any cause for worry.
Transcript
These “yankees” are pretty wise and I have good reason to believe that a Submarine has little chance considering the battleships and destroyer convoys that accompany the transports. No doubt I will have much to tell when we land on the other side - But for the “Censor.” Very little can be said so probably this letter will be the last complete one for some time. Owing to a few extra men on hand, they have offered to transfer some if they wished. I almost wanted to go into aviation in view of the fact that I was certain of a commission. However I finally decided to stick and take my chances, even though I am forced to remain a private here. If you could only see what “pull” does for one in the Army! Are the St. Louis papers printing much about peace? Boston seems to be very enthusiastic over the prospects . Of course, this cannot be and nobody wants it, until we have put a deep kink on the Western Front and those
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“Huns” fall on their knees for mercy. The coming spring will see some terrific fighting as the last stand made by those dirty dutch. but we are prepared and I am not afraid bet that any thing the U. S. does will turn out right in the end. Words cannot describe the enormous amont of preperation this county is making. I am mailing back the books you sent me (which I am not allowed to take along) together with other things. Included is a bunch of old mail which you will please put away (without reading them) Did you read President [Woodrow] Wilson’s speech in this (9th) mornings paper? The Boston papers give his views on what America stands for –
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Freedom of the Seas – Restoration of Belgium and Serbia A Reconstituted Poland Free Nations in Balkans german withdrawal from all occupied [territory] Alsace and Lorraine for France Virtual disarmament of all nations. That sounds like a clear cut program doesn’t it? Certainly this country is doing a wonderful part in this world war. By the way if I can afford a wrist watch I shall send the one I am carrying home. If you think it O. K. Louis can use it. # Since all our letters are to be censored I just thought of a code I might use if anything worthwile must be said. – If the first word of a paragraph is underlined, take the first letter of each word in the paragraph and put them together to form a sentence. #
Transcript
mail will be forwarded me from this address until we get across. Remember however that I am now 447 and not 419. The later unit is the one already there. give my regards to all, and as there is nothing more for me to say I shall wish myself a “Bon Voyage” and write you from the other side of the pond. Sincerley George C/O 447th [Depot] [Detachment] 25th Engineers Camp Devens [Massachusetts]
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - January 9, 1918 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 9 January 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 January 10, 1918 while at Camp Devens in Ayers, Massachusetts. Maguolo was in the 419th Depot Detachment, 25th Engineers and served in the 29th Engineers in France until 1919. In this letter he wrote that he was scheduled to leave for Europe on January 10th. Maguolo also said that this would probably be his last uncensored letter and explained a plan to get around the censor. |
| Subject LCSH | Camp Devens (Mass); World War, 1914-1918 |
| 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 | January 9, 1918 |
| Language | English |