George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - November 30, 1917
Transcript
Ayers [Massachusetts] [November ] 30, 1917 Dear Folks – Beginning to like the atmosphere in the camp and particularly that of our company. Certainly they could not be a finer and cleaner bunch of men. I want to tell you of my thanksgiving party for we (my chum and I) certainly had the time of our life. We left camp Wednesday afternoon (together with some 20,000 men who were going to points all over this section of the county. The Railroads had arranged special excursions. The train we took brought us to Boston just in time for supper and believe me we got a good meal. Went to a show in the evening together with a party of sailors. Bunking quarters were provided for us by the Y. M. C. A. who have an elegant building here. Thursday morning we walked about the town and saw many things of interest.
Transcript
By one o’clock we reached our destination. Here a private family had prepared a juicy thanksgiving dinner. Don’t have to tell you that we ate until [ms illegible: 1 wd] wind was choked. But what we could not eat they wrapped up and had us take along! All afternoon we were taken around and saw the Boston Harbor – my first glimse of the pond. We were shown the fortifications and believe me an enemy would have a job getting into here. I never saw so many sailors in my life. Before I forget it send me Mare’s and Ray Leineknihler’s address. And now I must set you wise to something that I just discovered. I am not allowed to write or tell when we leave. In fact as soon as our particular company is called we go under military quarantine for about a week and while confined
Transcript
in our barracks we are not allowed to write a single letter. We may be able to write but the letters are held until we are well on our way over the pond. The reason for this is; that no spies will know when the ships slip out an where we are to go. From recent preparation’s it looks like that time is about a week and a half or two away. I shall write quite often and you will know as soon as the letters stop that we are under quarantine and probably on our way. From present indications we have many railroad & steamship depots to build & supervise. Can you call up the Barracks & have my mail there forwarded to you that you may mail it to me. Don’t worry about me for I am this lucky fellow Sincerely George (over)
Transcript
Have taken out $5000 insurance and alloted ½ of my pay to Mom. $30/2 The government will hold or give to parents ½ of every soldiers pay in order that he may economize and save. As a private I will get $30 per mo. probably nothing better. Will tell you more of this later.
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - November 30, 1917 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 30 November 1917. George J. Maguolo Papers, 1917-1945. A0969. Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, Missouri. |
| Description | George J. Maguolo wrote to his parents from Ayers, Massachuttes on November 30, 1917 while at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. Maguolo was in the 419th Depot Detachment, 25th Engineers and served in the 29th Engineers in France until 1919. In this letter he described his Thanksgiving weekend in Boston. The Y.M.C.A. had coordinated housing and dinner with private families for the soldiers. Maguolo also stated that he would be headed overseas soon and that he was prohibited from giving his family the exact date. This letter was written on Y.M.C.A. letterhead. |
| Subject LCSH | Camp Devens (Mass.); World War, 1914-1918; World War, 1914-1918--War Work--Y.M.C.A.; Soldiers Billeting |
| 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 | November 30, 1917 |
| Language | English |