Guy B. Hoge World War 1 Collection

Soon after passing the Pennsylvania bar exam, Guy went to work for the Union-Fidelity Trust Insurance Company.  Letters from this period describe his visits with family and clients with no mention of the war in Europe.

Guy has moved into private practice and is working on establishing his law business. These letters describe his visits with family and clients, only once mentioning the "war news" in the papers.

Guy has volunteered to serve as a Private in the armed forces, but his status remains questionable. These letters describe camp conditions in Ohio, like drilling and work, while Guy waited to be discharged due to flat feet.

Since his discharge from the Army, Guy has enlisted a second time. These letters describe his travels to the training camp in Georgia and daily life in camp, such as inspection, quarantine, working, drilling, taking classes and sight-seeing. He expects to leave for Europe.

Somewhere over the Atlantic (late July) through November 10, 1918. These letters describe Guy's arrival in France and his impressions of that country. By early September he was stationed near St. Nazaire working in Ordnance Supply. His letters describe the type of work he performed, his impressions of the military, his frequent trips to the YMCA, news from home, and his teaching night classes to other U.S. solders.

The war has ended, and Guy's letters still focus on the plans for peace and returning soldiers home. He is still stationed near St. Nazaire in Ordnance Supply, and his letters continue to describe the type of work he performed, but now he describes holidays overseas, like Thanksgiving and Christmas. In late December Guy applied for and received a one-week furlough, and when he returned to duty he was promoted to corporal.

This is a fifteen-page diary that Guy kept during his week-long furlough traveling through France, including stops in Paris, Nice, Mote Carlo, Monaco, Grasse, Cannes and several American YMCA facilities. He describes in detail his impression of the countryside and the sights he visited.

Guy remained stationed in France at the Ordnance Depot and was unsure about his return to America. His letter still express interest in news from home and descriptions of his work helping to transport men and equipment stateside, including witnessing prisoners of war. He received his promotion to Sergeant and expressed his concern about the "flu" outbreak in the states.

Guy informs his family that he will study law at Inns Court in London, England, as part of an Army program for student soldiers waiting for their transport home. In his letters he comments on the people and culture of England, reflecting in the impact of the war. He frequently visits the YMCA and attends church services. Several letters include tours of London and parts of the British Isles.

These final 5 letters, all from July 1919, include the plans to return home. Guy feels he is "back in the Army now" with the bustle of preparing to leave Europe. His letters describe the attitudes of the soldiers and his arrival back in the U.S.