George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - March 9, 1919
Transcript
Letter #72 Yes Langres Yet! March 9, 1919. Dear Folks – the week has passed with little new to write of. An interesting letter from Louis reached me with “Home-ward-bound” as a key note but there is no such thing in this out fit. I shall not dwell upon the subject for it only gives me the blues until I can hardly speak. Oh. yes! We received our first issue of candy March 7th. A box of hard candy after nearly a year of much advertized propaganda of “a regular issue for our boy’s over there every 10 days! Our government may have supplied the necessary amount – I do not doubt – but the point is the boys did not get it! Where it went I can tell you when I get home. Democracy?
Transcript
From the Base Bull (which I have mailed home regular you may see that a truck train is to start tomorrow and operate along the boarder (Program of operation included) It is quite some layout of mechanism involving some 40 trucks equipped for everything from pumping & printing to generating electricity. I am scheduled for the 3rd shift. (see program). April 4th to 13th. But in the meant time – My Lieut. has become C.O. of Co. A. and I am at the head of the plans & relief. there isn’t a great deal to do as you may have suspected from the no. of packages sent recently. Out side of odds and ends – its a question of crating the equipment for shipment to the U.S.A. I had a very good time at the dance mentioned in the “Bull”, [page2]
Transcript
At last we are wearing a shoulder insignia [sketch of insignia] Red White Blue the official mark of [General Headquarters] - so the 29th [Engineers] have the distinction of belonging to no one division but controling all of them. the mark [John] Pershing & the staff wears! From March 10th to April 4th I am waiting in double suspense. First and foremost I await the decision of some kind soul to take me away from here and send me to the Beaux Art or any other art school. (But you must realize how slim my chances are – when the commander of the train has other ambitions! Do you get me? . . . . . Secondly I retain a slight hope of getting 14 days to Italy as these are being granted in Co. H at Chaumont. But of course its a different story at Langres – [page 3]
Transcript
[page 4] Also its quite likely that I shall spend some 10 days to Coblenz germany during this period. that wouldn’t be bad – providing it did not interfere with either of the above two projects. I have mailed package #11 today so you see there’s much junk on the way if you have not already received it. Please send me a list of the pick’s received and their condition. I am trying to get rid of all the junk I now have as carrying it back would be impractile. there remains to be sent in the future among other things – a Poilus helmet – a german 77m/m shell – a saw tooth german Bayonet – a german Dress Helmit – two engraved antitank shells (11/2 approx) – a raiding bayonet. Hope most of it reaches you. Package #7 (Best of all) was sent by French Express March 2 so may
Transcript
[page 5] be slow in reaching you. take care of it all - So you can easily see what lays before me. If denied the educational furlough, I must go on the truck train April 4th and will not return to this base before the end of the month. (April) Allow May for packing & preparation for departure, June for the return trip I ought to get home some time in July. (During this period I may or may not get either or both of the trips to Coblenz and Venice. On the other hand - suppose I were granted the [education] furlough! they will send me first to Bellvue (Just out of Paris) and there be taken over by the Army [education] Commission. I could arrange to live with Mme Deladiere, my Marraine. And be perfectly at
Transcript
[page 6] home with at least 5 French families. (in Paris) I would enroll into the special course at the Ecole De Beaux Art which could cost me 250 [francs] but – the army pays (to the lucky guys = hand shakers) in addition to their regular salary $3.00 a day - $2 for rations $1 for board. the course would last from the end of March to the end of June! Wouldn’t that be a grand & glorious feeling! And then instead of going home as some animal (in which conditions I have always lived since in the Army) I would go home as a gentleman, even if I did were a uniform. Possibly I would be mustered out on the U.S. coast (if not allowed to over here) and have a chance to see [New York] – Washington D.C. etc. and probaly be home the later part of July.
Transcript
[page 7] But as there is absolutely – nothing that I can do – I must be content to remain at the level the Army chooses for me. Democracy? Inclosed is a little section of a plan director outlining a little walk Simpson & I took this afternoon. The grid [sketch of a grid] is 1 kilo. squares so you may gauge distance. The Details I must omit although there was much of interest. And miracles may happen – for I am told I shall be paid this month! Remember me to all fun Dellonu to the mailman – Sincerely George Maguolo [Corporal] Co “A” 29th [Engineers] A. P.O. - #714
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - March 9, 1919 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 9 March 1919. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his family on March 9, 1919 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company A and served in France until 1919. In this letter Maguolo discussed the propaganda being published in American Newspapers. He also mentioned a recent visit made by General John J. Pershing in which he reviewed the troops. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--Propaganda |
| 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 9, 1919 |
| Language | English |