George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - March 21, 1918
Transcript
Eastern France March 21, 1918. Dear Folks – You probably continue to receive my letters in bunches and I have yet to hear from you. Yet I continue to write hoping that some day there will be a big bunch of letters from you. Am writing this letter from about the same place I wrote the last letter, many changes have come for the good and I am very happy. Here in the comfortable “studio” barracks. Am I not fortunate to fall in with a half dozen artists & sculptors? Am in the French Army now you know and live & talk French. They are a very fine & educated class and we live here like a family. Am mastering the work rapidly and shall probably be sent back to the American Army before many more weeks, There is but two of us here so you see we are an isolated “kaki” among the French blue. I should get a nice position upon my return. Last Sunday I took a walk with a party of Frenchman to the
Transcript
Meuse River where we saw several aero-combats. The roaring of the artillery was very evident. On the way I met some American Ambulance drivers who had thrilling tales. In spite of the mutilation of the ground and the noisy artillery, the spring is bringing forth flowers here & there. A little patch of violets on the road side [ms illegible: 1 wd] evidence of the first breath of spring. I am inclosing them in this letter. Hoards of German prisoners are brought in every few days. There are a stupid and stubborn looking lot. Square headed. The other day while passing an inclosure (Prison camp) I was much surprised to here a german prisoner call “Hey Sammy!” I went over to the barb wire enclosure & found he spoke good english. He told me he was in the U.S. until 1913 & upon a return to germany was drafted. He was tickeled & happy to be a prisoner as are most of them. However the average prisoner looks to the ground and will not look you in the face. They hate the
Transcript
Americans in particluar. I hope to send you some souvenirs that they give us, soon. Was very interested to learn that two of my comrades are architects (students from the Ciole of Beaux Arts – Paris) We have some very interesting conversations as you may imagine. “Very early reading do you not.” Louis will probably remember. There is very much to write about but I shall have to put it off until another letter. The “Bosche” are making a violent bombardment at the time and the big guns shake the barracks – However we are not in range and therefore out of danger. Don’t worry about me for now I am the luckiest Sammy in the sector. [flowers glued to the page] Sincerely [Private] George Maguolo 447th Engineers [General Headquarters] A. E.F. You see I have carried this paper some distance. Please save all my letters.
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - March 21, 1918 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 21 March 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 March 21, 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 he discussed the training and living arrangements of his new assignment. Maguolo explained that he lived in a studio with French artists and sculptors and had been emersed in the French language and cuisine. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918--Prisoners; 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 | March 21, 1918 |
| Language | English |