George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - May 12, 1919
Transcript
#81 Bellevue (Siene et Oise) May 12 1919 Dear Folks – this should really be a part of #80. the weekends are so full of adventure that I needs must write them up if for nothing else than to keep up the diary. Sunday morning 626 found H. Smith and I at the Gare du Nord. the usual crowds were there and the mad rush for tickets proceeded. Such a confusion as these stations experience everyone seems to carry half their belongings a few loaves of bread for lunch and reminants of war time customs in - canteens – haver sacks etc. In the subway we noticed a half dozen well dressed English girls – gazing at a turk in his native dress.”So charming donche know!” While in line for tickets one of them approached me
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[page 2] and ask if I would not buy her tickets – thrusting a couple of hundred franc notes in my hand. through some mishap I was 27 francs to the good (which came in handy later) we had a good time up to Piereefond where we split parties. At Pierrefond is the wonderful old chateau of Charlemagne and the Knights of the Round table. You cannot imagine what a wonderful old place it is with the fortifications tunnels - and underground passages. Built in the Norman Style. Have pictures of everything of course which I shall be to show you at Home. this place is also interesting as being a first aid station for the American Army. the Germans put several holes through it – notably an aerial torpedo through the roof which pierced through three stories and buried itself in the basement floor
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[page 3] but not exploding fortunately. There it still lies some 5ft long and 12” in diameter. At one time the germans nearly took it - Woodwork plays an important part in this palace the [ms illegible: 1 wd] is excellent. But best of all the crooked little streets with the inns and taverns where ye knight “drank and made merry” are most interesting. We had a splendid dinner in such a place. L’Hotel L’enfor with its half timber facade and wrought iron signe swinging in the breeze – the old three legged furniture and tile floor and timbered ceiling was a most realistic scene of the 11th century: Here we visited an old wine cellar of the friars dating back to the 11th century. Meal 6.00 [francs] while wine french fried potatoes – lamb chops – salade cheese – sausage omlet & coffee.
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[page 4] We walked from Pierrefond to Champeigne – the old ambulance road which passes through a magnificent old forest where many of our troops are now sleeping neath the sod. Its 14 kilos and we walked it in 2 ½ hours not bad as a hike eh! At Campeigne there were several places to see – the palace de Napoleon – Church of Antoine and a chateau. the town is surrounded by a trench system and pretty well shot up but the old signal wires still dangle from the house tops. Are they repairing the ruins – Hell no! they will leave them as they are so that the rubber necks from America can come over to tour the new sights. (think of the money these people will bring)
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[page 5] Why is the Cathedral of Rheins to remain a ruins? Some have gone so far as to say “It looks better now than ever before.” So come over you Americans and “sight see” la belle France in a rubber neck wagon to look for dead germans but don’t play with the duds and hand granades! 930 Sunday am back in Paris. Supper at the Red Cross. Spent the remain two hours on the Champs Elysee the most beauty boulevard in the world. the brightly illuminated roller rink and the caneurts are great attractions Ou revoir until next week Sincerely George Maguolo Bellevue (Seine et Oise) A.P.O -702 A.E.F.
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - May 12, 1919 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 12 May 1919. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote a letter to his parents May 12, 1919 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company A and served in France until 1919. In this letter Maguolo described his daily life at school and a weekend excursion to Pierrefond, France. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--Study and Teaching; World War, 1914-1918--War work- Red Cross |
| 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 | May 12, 1919 |
| Language | English |