George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - May 27, 1919
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#85 Bellevue (Seine et Oise) May 27, 1919 Dear Folks – Louis’s extremely interesting letter & (papers) of May 13 describing the home coming of the 138th at hand Am very glad to learn that Mare is probably now with you. Although in the middle of ”chautte” to finish a project in the next few days – I have fresh in mind a trip I have just made and which may interest you. Early last [Satuday] morning Jack B. and I tiptoed quietly to the station with our musette bag of sketching material. Breakfast at the [Red Cross] Canteen with two made up lunches a piece – we reached St. Lazaire to start the Journey to Alsace. The Paris –Strasburg Express was denied us – but by a little maneuvering through a French leave train and hopping a few others &
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[page 2] dodging a few M.P’s we caught it just out of town and secured a couple of places II class. Our tickets were good only to Toul but Mare can tell you what one does in that case. - Chateau Thierry was the first stop and we got another glimpse of the Belleau Woods. Consaree-aux –Bois and Luoville brought back old memories though now deserted except for the quarries which have again started operations then Toul and Nancy. At Lupreville and the surrounding country, which Mare probably knows, the train traveled very slowly because of the honey combed structure of the land. this was the 6th or 7th crossing I have now made from the French to old german lines. - Interesting for all the bridges that were blown up during the retreats and replaced by the army engineers.
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[page 3] then the boarder and 5 long tunnels through the Vosges into Alsace. Once germany is naturally is still german in characters. I was much struck by the strange tongue of the new crew and Alsacetians In our compartment two beautiful alsacetians girls among others were trying to make themselves understood to us - a pity but we got little of their german. Ate some of their cakes. We received the finest treatment from these people – who inspite of this clumsy tongue were as gentile as the French and for the better part better looking. (this is the land of Mrs. Cspalmer it it not?) We landed at Strasburg the capital of Alsace and found we were the only two Americans in town – therefore were regarded a little curiously. Secured a room in a hotel for the eve where we later met on [American] chauffer.
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[page 4] He was driving a colonel & a telephone girl – sight seeing. Yes - there all doing it now . So we rode around in the Colonel’s car the next morning. Next to Paris I like Strausburg – its a splendid clean town. Terrible mixture of german & French architecture. Lots of half timbered, high gabled roofs – and kids. But these excuse me alsacetian kids are not nearly as witty or attractive as the French “gosses.” Much surprised by the number of german uniforms of different officials who nearly had French buttons – of course the alsacetian costume of the women was splendid. (am inclosing a card) then dinner at a german Ruthkul killer – fine sausage & german fried and delicious beer (dark, creamy Oh! boy) – with a german player organ grinding “The Red mill“ and
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[page 5] gretchen” – clay pipes and Steins Yavol – posrit Deutchland under the tricolors. 3 francs (4 marks) think of it. then sketching with kids and more kids curious for two reasons. More beer. Evening at the Con cord Dance Turnfirein. good old german family Bohemian stiple party. We were received with open arms and made the acquintance of some shaffle little alsacetians. But I’ve got something to learn in their “Polka.” At the hotel there were curious people to see Americans. Across the narrow street on the balcony opposite ours were a couple of refined girls who spoke French so after a little chat we agreed to take a walk the following evening. Up early the next morning to continue the sketching. I need to say little of the [Architecture] for you undoubtedly will zee both
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[page 6] post cards & sketches when I return Dinner – more sausages & beer. the Fraulines were having a little “hop” in the adjoining cafe with some german Poilus. More sketching. At a book store we found many books (still there) of german officers. A boy told us he hardly realized any difference between these days and the period during which the germans occupied the town. And didn’t we run into an old Dutchman who had been to Cincinatti Ohio! – and wished he were back there. During the Eve we and the frauline took the train to the keil brider and walked along the left bank of the Rhine. the many factory chimneys in germany were idle. So we saw Duetchland at last! [written in margin] not an M.P. in Alsace!
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[page 7] Early next morning we went to Repots – miller to see the old castles. It was a quaint old town with its Oxen teams drawing the carts the wooden shoes – and gay alsacetian costumes. through the streets there was a long religious procession with their banners and chanting nuns & priests. then Colmar a picturesque town. We sat at a certain corner for a sketch – shortly after some girls brought us each a chain and a foot stool! then Mulhouse which is very near Switzerland. generals [Philippe] Petan and [Henri] gouraud passed in a military demonstration. More sketching. then back to Paris by way of Belfort – three of the big viaducts had been blown up so travel was in a round bout way across the border. Oh! the junk these germans had massed
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[page 8] on their side, 12 hours in the express got me back here and some startling news greets us. It seems that school will close the 31 of May and 15 days will be allowed as to travel some more. (Am afraid I cannot get to Italy without being demobilized over here.) there are many disadvantages of being discharged as much as I should like to. Most of all I am tired – not of France nor [Architecture]. for the more I see the more I love both. Have made a “feather” with my pencil sketching and perhaps stand paramount just now. But you realize that it has been tough life this last year and I have been making the minutes count here. I also confess to being
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[page 9] homesick – it is so long that I have knocked about in this army. Just now it is impossible to say anything of our next move but undoubtedly June the 15th means a move – and Lord how I pray that it may not be back to my Regiment! Undoubtedly Mare has given you an insight of life over here and can read between the lines. Sincerely George Maguolo [Corporal] Pavilion of Bellevue Bellevue (Seine et Oise) A.P.O. 702
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - May 27, 1919 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 27 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 on May 27, 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 recent visit to the Alsace region of France. Maguolo also mentioned that the school would be closing on May 31, 1919 and that he was given two additional weeks to travel. |
| 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; Chauteau Thierry; Belleau Woods |
| 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 27, 1919 |
| Language | English |