George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - September 2, 1918
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Base Hospital #48 - September 2, 1918 - Dear Folks - My last letter was written [August] 27 but as time lays heavy on my hands letter writting becomes a past time. Am feeling very well today improving right along. Yesterday I asked the doctor if I could not return to my company as they were very active with the last battles. He refused me by saying that I was still too weak and he would have me sent to the coast until I built up. Anything would be more preferable than this monitinous.
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[page 2] existance. Last night the nurses of this unit gave a little entertainment, principally music. All out in the open, for there is no recreation hall here. You should have seen the peculiar audience of pajamas squatted all around on the ground, railroad ties, boxes, etc. There were some nice solos and a good violin solo. There is a commissary dept. here where we may buy a few canned goods and toilet articles. This morning I bought some jam, milk (condensed),
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[page 3] Black berry jam 29 [cents] Condensed milk 11 [cents] Lemon drops 33 [cents] and lemon drops. These prices are extraordinary cheap. Furthermore we never see these delicies up near the Front. - The French prices in a neighboring town are much different. We are well out of the War Zone here and food delicies more plentiful. The following is a list of prices in American money – 1 Doz. eggs – 80 [cents] to $1.00 1 pound white grapes – 20 [cents] 1 cantalope – 50 [cents] 1 banana 10 [cents] 1 orange 5 [cents] No cakes or candy or bread sold. And these items are scarce at that.
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[page 4] Our meals here are excellent. It is not only good food but we get plenty of it. That is to be expected from a permanent kitchen. It is the “rolling kitchens” near the line that have difficulty delivering the goods. Especially when a big shell carries the dinner away. Theres where “hard tack” and “corned Willie (beef)” take the place of the excellent white bread we get here. Or even the soggy sawdust crust war bread fed us by the French. Suppose St. Louis is very enthusiastic with the recent
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[page 5] Allies gains. (Have you that map of France on the wall and following the movements?) They are doing wonderful work. Met a fellow from Marc’s regiment here. He told me his entire whereabouts and that he is o.k. He is on the firing line of a quiet sector, and doing a man’s job. In the London Daily Mail was printed the inclosed clipping was just thinking if they change many more names some of us will be unable to find our way home.
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[page 6] [September] 2nd is always a day of enthusiasm with me. School, up through high school had a beginning then and it usually marked the end of many pleasant vacations. As I look back over my past life, it always speaks for good fortune and a happy child hood. My successful school career, my pleasant vacations, in Wisconsin and Colorado will ever be the source of many pleasant memories. The many friends I have made, and the successful trials at responsible work point
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[page 7] to a bright future. And so with the arrival of this letter my 25th birthday must be at hand. marking approximately a year spent in this Army. But long before the 26th we shall all be back in fact the early part of the coming year must see division action. It so passes that [September] 2, 1918 is the first to mean nothing except perhaps a shippment out of here to Bordeaux. I hope everything at home may be advancing, nicely that the shop may be running
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[page 8] along (inspite of the perhaps heavy taxes now) at least enough to clear the “overhead” and keep things in motion. Also hope that Louis may by now have an industrial position in farming – munitions - or the ship yards to keep him out of the Army. He ought not to return to school at this time is my belief but rather – be occupied with an exempted job. Two out of three is sufficient a sacrifice if the worst did happen. Mail is not forwarded to here
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[page 9] so I write blindly for it is some time now since I have heard from you. Shall probably write soon again if any more is made having little else to do. At present am partially occupied by an Architectural book. On “the Italian Renaissance” written in French that I bought in Paris. With best wishes for all Sincerely yours [Corporal] [George] Maguolo 29th Engineers Co “H” (Address as usual as mail is not forwarded anyway.)
Details
| Title | George J. Maguolo letter to Folks - September 2, 1918 |
| Creator | Maguolo, George J. |
| Source | Maguolo, George J. Letter to Folks. 2 September 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 September 2, 1918 while in France. Maguolo was in the 29th Engineers Company H and served in France until 1919. Maguolo wrote this letter from a hospital in Mars, France while being treated for pleurisy. He discussed the advances that the Allies were making and life in the hospital. |
| Subject LCSH | World War, 1914-1918 |
| Subject Local | WWI; World War I; Base Hospital #48 |
| 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 | September 2, 1918 |
| Language | English |