The Sandino Rebellion - Turmoil in the Segovian Borderlands, 1919-1926

     In the years 1919-1926, the Segovian borderlands experienced three bouts of civil war: two in Honduras (July-Sept. 1919 and Jan-March 1924) and one in Nicaragua (Aug 1926 through April 1927). Between these political earthquakes were lesser episodes of violence and unrest. This page presents about 120 documents from a variety of sources on events in the Segovian borderlands in the 7½ years from from July 1919 to December 1926. Together they provide a fascinating glimpse into the complex history of political and military struggle in this hotly contested border region. They show that the Segovian borderlands were steeped in political-military mobilization from at least 1919, a social reality shrewdly exploited by Sandino and his followers after May 1927.

      Only some of the material collected here makes direct reference to events in these borderlands. Such references generally appear in blue text.

     Of course, no direct references to violence in the borderlands does not mean that no troops were mobilized, or that no one was fighting or dying there. The events prompting production of these documents were considered big enough to merit newspaper coverage or official mention of some kind. Even when events in border zones were mentioned, it is clear that most of what was happening there was flying under the radar screen. For historians, the avalanche of empirical evidence comes with the US invasion and occupation of Las Segovias after mid-1927. Still, we learn a lot from these documents about the eight years before Sandino appeared on the scene.

     For a brief summary of the major events shaping borderlands history in the years 1919-1926, in an MSWord file, click here. For an Excel file charting this unrest, click here. The most concise and authoritative summary of Honduran history available online is the US Government Country Study series; to go offsite to the volume on Honduras, click here.

Photographs:

Top: Detail of US Marines (two in darker uniforms on right) posing with Nicaraguan soldiers at Santo Tómas, Nicaragua, February 1924, published in Leatherneck, March 1928, p. 7. To read accompanying article by Ex.-Sgt. F. F. Birnbaumer, click here.

22 July 1919	Martial Law in Honduras. (NYT)
25 July 1919	Prevent Honduras Revolt. Government's Prompt Action Stops Invasion by Gen. Leiva. (NYT)
29 July 1919	Revolution Reported in Honduras. (NYT)
31 July 1919	Fighting Reported in Honduras Revolt. President Bertrand Said to Have Filled the Jails with Leaders, but Many Flee. Guerrilla Warfare Raging. More than 1,300 Hondurans Said to Have Crossed the Border, into Nicaragua. (NYT)
1 Aug 1919	Honduras Factions in Many Battles. Four Towns Reported to Have Been Captured by the Revolutionists. Gen. Gutierrez Routed. Col. Carbona, with Force of 800, Defeated by Government Forces – Col. Velasquez Killed. (NYT)
1 Aug 1919	Why They Fight Bertrand. Two Parties Say He Is Trying to Hand Over Office to Brother-in-Law. (NYT)
2 Aug 1919	Eastern Honduras in Revolution. Various Military Positions Said to Have Been Captured by Anti-Bertrand Partisans. (NYT)
5 Aug 1919	Revolt in Honduras. Three Departments and 3 Towns Break Away From Government. (NYT)
13 Aug 1919	Honduras Rebels Beaten. Reportedly Ready to Surrender Town if Amnesty Is Granted. (NYT)
15 Aug 1919	New Costa Rica President. Tinoco Escaped from Limon--Bertrand Claims Success. (NYT)
27 Aug 1919	Amnesty for Honduras Rebels. (NYT)
11 Sept 1919	President Forced to Quit Honduras. Revolution Overthrows Bertrand, Who Takes Ship for United States. American Warships Sent. State Department Expresses Hope That Candidates Will Now Provide for a Free Election. (NYT)
12 Sept 1919	American Marines Land In Honduras. Preserving Order and Protecting Lives and Property of Foreigners at Puerto Cortez. Bertrand Safe on Ship. Great Changes in Central America Expected to Follow President's Retirement. (NYT)
14 Sept 1919	Honduras Generally Quiet. (NYT)
16 Sept 1919	Honduran Rebels' Victor. Occupy La Esperanza, Pursuing the Ex-President's Forces. (NYT)
23 Sept 1919	Oppose Gutierrez's Rule. Dictatorship Is Said to Violate Compact with Diplomatic Corps. (NYT)
27 Sept 1919	Rebel Gains in Honduras. General Leiva Is Reported in Control of the Southern Districts. (NYT)
30 Sept 1919	Seeks Peace in Honduras. New Ministry Urges Membreno's Forces to Quit Hopeless Rebellion. (NYT)
8 Oct 1919	Tosta Backs Gutierrez. Nominates Him for President of Honduras. (NYT)
14 Jan 1920	US Sec. Navy Telegrams (RG80, Box 335)
2 Feb 1920	From USS Cleveland via radio to OpNav (RG80, Box 335)
4 Feb 1920	Start Revolt in Honduras. Rivals of Gutierrez Head Rising as He Becomes President. (NYT)
25 Feb 1920	US Sec. State to Sec. Navy (RG80, Box 335)
26 Feb 1920	USS Tacoma to Opnav on conditions in borderlands (RG45, Box 753)
27 Feb 1920	Honduran Rebels Beaten. Formed in Nicaragua, It Is Said, Despite President's Promise. (NYT)
29 Feb 1920	Sack Honduran Towns. Rebels Have Obtained War Supplies By This Method. (NYT)
9 Mar 1920	Rebels Near Nicaragua. (LA Times)
26 Aug 1920	Navy Sends Gunboat to Watch Honduras; Central American Unrest Causes Concern. (NYT)
11 Dec 1920	Violent Earth Shocks. Southern Honduras and Western Nicaragua Severely Shaken. (NYT)
24 Aug 1921	Emiliano Chamorro, Managua, to Charles Evans Hughes, US Sec. State, Washington, requesting arms (USDS 817.24/8)
24 Aug 1921	Revolutionary force invaded Nicaragua from Honduras, US Sec. State to Sec. Navy Denby. (RG80, Box 335)
27 Aug 1921	Bands Invade Nicaragua. Troops Sent to Repel Them -- A Protest Made to Honduras. (NYT)
8 Sept 1921	Quell Nicaraguan Rising. Government Forces Drive Rebels Into Honduras -- 1,311 Captured. (NYT)
11 Sept 1921	Nicaragua Demobilizes. Troops That Quelled Rebellion Are Quietly Returning Home. (NYT)
11 Sept 1921	Revolution in Honduras suppressed, Cmdr. Spec. Svc. Squadron to Opnav. (RG80, Box 335)
24 Oct 1921	State of War In Nicaragua. Government Proclaims It on Border -- Extends Martial Law Period. (NYT)
13 Nov 1921	Attack Nicaraguan Town. Revolutionists Beaten Off by Troops Guarding Somotillo. (NYT)
5 Dec 1921	Request for investigation of Nicaragua-Honduras frontier conditions. (RG80, Box 335)
19 Feb 1922	Noticias de bandoleros en Cinco Pinos. (El Centroamericano)
17 Mar 1922	Disturbances on the Nicaragua-Honduras border in the last eight months; C.O. Mardet, Managua, to Marcorps (RG80, Box 336)
22 Mar 1922	On forced recruitment in Managua; letter from American Legation, Managua, to Cole (RG80, Box 335)
7 Apr 1922	Noticias sobre la revolución de Honduras (El Centroamericano)
17 Apr 1922	Revolt Stirs Honduras. Serious Outbreak Reported Along the Nicaraguan Frontier. (NYT)
22 Apr 1922	La verdadera situación de Honduras. (El Centroamericano)
12 May 1922	Martines Funes Vuelve A Las Armadas. (El Centroamericano)
19 May 1922	Información veríica sobre lo que pasa en Honduras. (El Centroamericano)
8 July 1922	Movimientos en la frontera. (El Centroamericano)
14 Aug 1922	Nicaraguan Troops Nip a Revolution Started by Liberal Exiles in Two Cities. (NYT)
18 Aug 1922	Confer on Border Raids. Presidents of Three Central American Republics to Meet on Cruiser. (NYT)
23 Aug 1922	Pledge Peace Anew in Central America. Heads of Three Republics Meet on American Warship and Reaffirm Treaty. American Ministers There. Nicaragua, Honduras and Salvador Agree to Enforce Measures to Check Rebel Invasions. (NYT)
3 Sept 1922	Border Rebels Captured. Central American States Have Armies Out Against Them. (NYT)
10 Sept 1922	New Fight on Nicaraguan Frontier. (NYT)
3 Feb 1923	Pan Americans Not Arming. Only Two Nations Spend Nearly Half of Budget on Military. (NYT)
28 Dec 1923	Washington Repeats Warning to Honduras. Tells It the United States 'Regards With Disfavor' Any Attempt to Control Elections. (NYT)
30 Dec 1923	No Title. [Reports of Border Troubles Unfounded, Officials Say.] (NYT)
6 Jan 1924	Tropas hondureñas cerca de Somoto (El Centroamericano)
5 Feb 1924	Honduran Rebels to Fight Dictator. Carias Opposes Gutierrez for Holding Presidency After National Elections Fail. Notes By Hughes Ignored. Other Governments Are Said to Have Urged in Vain That New Elections Be Held. (NYT)
8 Feb 1924	Emigrados en Ocotal (El Centroamericano)
13 Feb 1924	Revolución en Honduras (El Centroamericano)
14 Feb 1924	De Chinandega (El Centroamericano)
15 Feb 1924	Atacó la plaza de San Marcos (El Centroamericano)
18 Feb 1924	Report of Visit to Honduran Frontier. (Capt. T. Bourke, USMC to Sec. Navy, RG80, Box 336)
22 Feb 1924	Noticias de la frontera norte y la guerra de Honduras (El Centroamericano)
24 Mar 1924	*Marines in Nicaragua, 1924. (Letter from an Ex-Sergeant, USMC,* The Leatherneck, March 1928)**
28 Feb 1924	Noticias de la revolución cariísta (El Centroamericano)
2 Mar 1924	Another Warship Sent To Honduras. Admiral Doubles Marine Guard at Ceiba, Where American Citizen Has Been Killed. Rebels Besiege Capital. But Meanwhile Other Central American Countries Start a Move for Peace. (NYT)
6 Mar 1924	La candidatura Sacasa-Carazo Hurtado en los pueblos del Norte de Chinandega (El Centroamericano)
8 Mar 1924	Lo que pasa en nuestra frontera norte (El Centroamericano)
19 Mar 1924	La intervención americana en Honduras para poner fin á la anarquía que allá reina. (El Centroamericano)
21 Mar 1924	Falsos informes, echados a rodar (El Centroamericano)
25 Mar 1924	Honduran Capital Expects A Battle. American Marines Patrol Neutral Zone Established In Tegucigalpa. Act At Ferrera's Request. This Rebel Commander Agrees Not to Fight in Streets Adjacent to American Legation. (NYT)
27 Mar 1924	Noticias de la frontera hondureña. (El Centroamericano)
29 Mar 1924	La actitud del pueblo de chinandega ante los asesinatos de nuestros hermanos en honduras. (El Centroamericano)
30 Mar 1924	Rockefeller Foundation Trip to the Honduran Border. (Rockefeller Foundation Archives, NY)
2 Apr 1924	Contrabandistas en Murra y Jalapa. (El Centroamericano)
23 Apr 1924	Espleluzantes informes sobre la suerte de nuestros compatriotas en Honduras. *(El Centroamericano)*
23 Apr 1924	Lo que nos dijo un joven hondureño. (El Centroamericano)
2 May 1924	El Dr. Corea y el asunto de las armas a Honduras. (El Centroamericano)
8 May 1924	Horrible asesinato en Cinco Pinos. (El Centroamericano)
15 May 1924	Como fue tomado el pichaco (El Centroamericano)
21 May 1924	Amagos revolucionarios en la frontera norte. (El Centroamericano)
1 June 1924	Honduras al día. (El Centroamericano)
3 Aug 1924	Honduran Revolt Plot Reported. (NYT)
5 Aug 1924	Captures Honduran Town. Fonseca, Rebel, Is Operating Near Nicaraguan Frontier. (NYT)
8 Aug 1924	Two Americans Slain in Honduras Revolt; War Minister Flees, Cabinet Reorganized. (NYT)
10 Sept 1924	March On Tegucigalpa. Honduran Rebels Prepare to Attack Government Forces. (NYT)
9 Oct 1924	Rebel Leader Wounded. Honduras Government Forces Claim Victories Over Ferrera. (NYT)
15 Apr 1925	New Revolt in Honduras. General Ferrera Raises 300 Men--Martial Law Ordered. (NYT)
17 Apr 1925	Nicaragua Acts to Quell Banditry. (NYT)
21 Apr 1925	No Title. (NYT)
21 Apr 1925	Navy Lands 165 Men at Ceiba, Honduras, To Protect Americans as Revolt Spreads. (NYT)
22 April 1925	Honduras Uprising Hits Two Sections. North Coast and Guatemalan Frontier Involved--Expect Government to Put Down Disorders. (NYT)
23 Apr 1925	Navy Unit Quits Honduras. Cruiser Denver Remains Off Shore After Withdrawing Landing Party. (NYT)
25 June 1925	New Army In Honduras. But it is Unknown Which Side War Minister's Force Favors. (NYT)
30 June 1925	Honduran Rebels Routed. Government Wins Battle Near Intibuca--Nicaragua Guards Frontier. (NYT)
12 Aug 1925	Honduran Army Reduced. Minister of War Reports Rebels Dispersed--Commerce Gains. (NYT)
24 Aug 1925	Honduras Protests to Nicaragua. (NYT)
20 Aug 1926	Revolutionary movements in Leon, Chinandega, Sierras around Managua. (USDS 817.00/3721)
21 Aug 1926	Revolutionary movements continue. (USDS 817.00/3728)
25 Aug 1926	First outbreak of revolution in West. (USDS 817.00/3769)
26 Aug 1926	General Ferrera in Honduras. (USDS 817.00/3796)
28 Aug 1926	Alcalde asesinado en Somoto. (La Noticia)
31 Aug 1926	Combate en El Ocotal. (La Noticia)
1 Sept 1926	Rebels defeated in Coseguina. (USDS 817.00/3745)
2 Sept 1926	Nicaraguan Liberals organizing in La Union. (USDS 817.00/3747)
4 Sept 1926	Political Situation at Corinto. (USDS 817.00/3868)
6 Sept 1926	Conditions in the Liberal departments. (USDS 817.00/3759)
9 Sept 1926	Batalla en Somotillo. (La Noticia)
2 Oct 1926	Government forces victorious near Corinto. (USDS 817.00/3865)
5 Oct 1926	Rebeldes en Macuelizo. (La Noticia)
20 Oct 1926	El último combate de Somoto. (La Noticia)
26 Oct 1926	Se libró un combate cerca de la frontera. Somoto, amenzado por los revolucionarios. (La Noticia)
2 Nov 1926	Situation in Nicaraguan and Honduras. (USDS 817.00/3938)
3 Nov 1926	Revolucionarios en Somotillo. (La Noticia)
4 Nov 1926	Sangriento combate en El Ocotal. Quedaron 25 muertos en el campo de batalla. (First mention of Sandino in the press; La Noticia)
19 Nov 1926	American Forces Ready To Compel Nicaraguan Peace. (NYT)
28 Nov 1926	Combates en Telpaneca y Somoto. (La Noticia)
1 Dec 1926	Revolucionarios en Somotillo. (La Noticia)
2 Dec 1926	Noticias de Somotillo. (La Noticia)
29 Dec 1926	Por qué no hubo elecciones en Pueblo Nuevo. (La Noticia)
22 Feb 1927	Diaz Now Asks America To Take Virtual Control of Nicaraguan Affairs. Alliance is Suggested. Or Supervision Similar to That Exercised in Cuba. Coolidge Ignores Critics. Indications Point to His Resolve to Pursue Firm Latin-American Policy. Marines In Eight Cities. Dispositions Being Taken to Render Attacks by Liberals on Chief Centres Impossible. (NYT)

Fighting Reported in Honduras Revolt. President Bertrand Said to Have Filled the Jails with Leaders, but Many Flee. Guerrilla Warfare Raging. More than 1,300 Hondurans Said to Have Crossed the Border, into Nicaragua.

SAN JUAN DEL SUR, Nicaragua, July 30.—President Bertrand of Honduras was reported today in dispatches received here to have imprisoned all the leaders of the parties headed by Vice President Membreno and General Lopez Gutierrez, as a result of a revolution proclaimed recently.

Prisons throughout the Republic of Honduras are full, according to these dispatches. Many prominent citizens are said to have taken refuge in the American Legation.

General Lopez Gutierrez, accompanied by 200 persons, is said to have escaped from Tegucigalpa and to have succeeded in repulsing Government troops. His supporters in the departments of Paraiso and Valle were reported to be carrying on guerrilla warfare.

Dr. Zuran, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Honduras, is a refugee in the American Legation at Tegucigalpa, while Dr. Lopez Padilla, former Honduras Minister to Nicaragua, and Dr. Saturnino Medal, once magistrate of the Cartago Court and a delegate to the Central American Peace Conference in 1907, have been imprisoned in Tegucigalpa in connection with the revolution.

Advices received over the only telegraph wire working south from Honduras today are to the effect that there was a serious encounter on Tuesday in the Department of the Valle between Government forces and rebels.

Another three hundred Honduran refugees are reported to have arrived in Nicaragua today and joined the more than one thousand citizens of that country who previously fled there.

The town of Danli, close to the Nicaraguan frontier, has been captured by revolutionists in Honduras, according to dispatches published here today. In the fighting Colonel Jacinto Velasquez, a leader of the Gutierrez party, was killed.

General Francisco Argenal, with 400 revolutionists, is reported to be within a few miles of Ocotepeque, in Western Honduras, preparing to attack it.

Nicaragua Denies Responsibility.

The Nicaraguan Legation today received a cablegram from President Chamorro of Nicaragua denying categorically recent reports in this country that the Honduran revolution had been started in Nicaragua. The message stated that these reports are "absolutely false" and that the Governme