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Facts and Events
References
- ↑ D.J. Powell. The Powell Family a Record and Biography of the Descendants of Thomas Powell, Sr. (1906, Damascus, Ohio).
- ↑ United States. 1900 U.S. Census Population Schedule. (National Archives Microfilm Publication T623)
born apr 1894.
- ↑ found on webpage: http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohashtab/WWISoldiersM.htm.There it lists he was age 23, in the Army, born in Toronto, Ohio. Alsothat he was living in Colebrook twp., Ashtabula Co., Ohio
- ↑ A Letter written by Thomas to his mother which was posted in TheJefferson Gazette copy of the letter is posted on the website:http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohashtab/tjmaxwell.htm.
"My Dear Mother:
Another week has passed and we are still in Toul but are expecting toleave most any time for Coblentz, Germany, where we will undoubtedlyspend the winter months. My letter writing may be interruptedoccasionally by our different moves but I will try and write once a weekat least.
Since we came here I have visited several of the hills andfortifications that are so numerous around here and was certainlyimpressed by the strong defences and the great amount of work which itmust have required to build them. There are regular living quartersunder these hills which are built of stone and concrete. There are alsoprisons and dungeons, observation places, and gun foundations. Thesehills also furnish a place where a person can go and get a good view ofthe surrounding country. I saw some beautiful scenery from these hills.As I stood on one hill and looked out over the city of Toul and on intothe city beyond, I saw a river and canal winding down through the valleybetween the hills, here and there I could see a small village, a patchof woodlot or maybe a train steaming along the railroad. The sun wasshining on the river and canal and it was very pretty.
Last Saturday, Bliss, Conser and I went down to Toul on a 7 hr. pass.The city does not amount to much but is very old and rather interesting.There is a moat and wall all the way around the city. There are fourmain entrances with draw-bridges and gates. All these things used tofurnish a very good protection, but as battles are fought now, theywould not amount to much.
We also visited a big cathedral which must be several centuries old, andwhich must have been a long time in building. It is not as big as theone in Le Mans nor quite as widely known.
We went to the Y. M. C. A. and bought some pie and cocoa. The pie is thefirst I have had for several months and tasted real good. It was madefrom prunes. Then we went to the Red Cross and bought some sandwichesand cocoa. So altogether we had a pretty good supper.
Yesterday we went out on a hike and went to a French prison camp whichwas filled with Russian prisoners. We got several souvenirs from them,mostly rings which they had made out of copper shells or pieces ofGerman money.
I must close and go to dinner or I will be late and not get any at all.
With lots of love,
Pvt. 1st Class Thomas J. Maxwell,
Field Hospital 329, American E. F.
A.P.O. 754, 3rd Army"
Note: The Gazette's headline writer was a bit confused about thissoldier's whereabouts when the letter was written. He, the hills andfortifications were in Toul, France, in the province of Lorraine [bordered on the east by Germany] and on the Moselle River. Pvt. Maxwellwould spend about six more months with American Expeditionary Forces inEurope and receive an honorable discharge 9 Jul 1919.
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