George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - October 5, 1918
Transcript
[page 1] [October] 5, 1918 - Dear Folks – Again I am writing to you from inability to keep the enthusiasm to myself. Everyday being something new and although at times conditions are lonesome & fatiguing, there is always the expectations of what tomorrow will bring. The rapidly changing conditions of the war and our work really make this existance interesting. I am no longer a “convalescent, but as well as ever I can remember. Eight hours of intense training every day are more that meerly making me normal but stronger than ever before. No doubt by the time this letter reaches you I shall have finished this training and returned to the advanced zone. Do you remember of hearing me speak of Prof. E. O. Swertser in Civil Engineering while at the Univ? He is now a captain
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here and I had the pleasure of meeting him. From actions taken the last time I visited him, it looks as though he is going to help me along. He is very well liked by the men & is my idea of an officer. Am beginning to handle a rifle like a ruling pen now. It is hard work especially the bayonette. Barbwire entanglements, granade throwing, gas mask drills target practice, automotive guns bridges, skirmishes – are included in our schooling. Yesterday was down on the river learning something of pontoon bridges, (also how little I know about rowing a boat). It is interesting though strenuous work. This branch like all other army branches has reached quite a perfection. (System! you know how I always rave about it.) to see the officers swiftly moving about in fast motor boats & directing is quite thrilling.
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[page 2] But there with our ten minutes rest on the hour when all others smoke and I only sit and dream, the beauty of the environments awaken past memories. The busy throng of kaki settles down to rest a few moments and becomes a part of the quiet peaceful landscape. A lazy windmill slowly turning and women washing & beating clothes on the banks are the only movements of the scene. Softly reflected in the water is an old chateau ruins and in the distance the city of Angers silhoutted against a wintery sky. The cathedral spires tower above all as a huge sentinal guarding the homes & loved ones of heroic and patients poilu at war. I often long for a sketch pad & crayons, but the chin strap of my helmet and tension of an ammuntion belt soon brings one to a realization of duties undone.
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a week past while on a hike we got our usual “fall out” on the side of the road. Some little Belgian refugee children were playing about, and one, a little girl quite attractive in spite of tattered clothes, offered me some white grapes, which I excepted, quite willingly. She spoke perfect French and carried a little English - French dictionary. Just to think that a child of five should begin to excercise the serious thoughts of life. The poor kid told me how she came here with her two little brothers having lost both father & mother. I was quite touched with the episode, especially which her remark (in French) “But you Americans will bring our home back, won’t you?” Am writing this in a little French cafe’ for lack of a candle and this is one of the exceptional evenings when I am not so tired as to flop in my bunk just after the evening mess.
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[page 3] No letters have been forwarded me as yet, due to so many changes in address. Eventually. There are many things I should like to tell you, perhaps these camouflaged letters are disinteresting and vague. But never worry for little Willie can take care of himself. There are three things that you may rest assured of (with little variation) i.e. a place to sleep, warm clothing, and enough to eat. – It shall not be long now before going back to real work with a chance of promotion. Will have spent my 25th – ([October] 11) Birthday as usual, but celebrating it now with a fine French supper up town. Sincerely [Corporal] George Maguolo Co. L. 116th [Engineers] Angers, France. Past letters – [September] 2-8-13-15-22-29 P. S. Address [General Headquarters] as usual. [censors signature]
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - October 5, 1918 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 5 October 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 October 5, 1918 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company H and served in France until 1919. In this letter, Maguolo described the training he received while in training camp. |
| Subject LCSH | 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 | October 5, 1918 |
| Language | English |