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MARINE DETACHMENT
TELPANECA, NICARAGUA,
NOVEMBER 11, 1927
From: Lt.
Wilburt S. Brown
To: The Area Commander
Subject: Patrol and Contact with
bandits
. . . . . [ p. 2 ]
5. When the firing ceased, Lieut.
Satterfield skirmished forward but encountered
no further resistance. In the camp he captured
four rifles, eleven machetes, one mule (found to
be the property of Ncanos Espinosa [Nicanor
Espinosa] of this town), and a large supply of
food and clothing. All this was destroyed.
Incidentally, there also discovered a marine
O.D. shirt with the name R. E. Meetez stenciled
thereon and twenty-one rounds of .30 cal.
ammunition in clips. Some of the men here
remember Meetze [sic] to have been a member of
the 14th Company, 11th Regiment, but how the
shirt and ammunition came into the hands of the
bandits is a mystery. The patrol returned to
Telpaneca without further mishap arriving here
at 11:00 a.m., o.k.
6. With no idea that his praises
will add much to Satterfield's reputation the
undersigned wishes to go on record as commending
and appreciating the able handling and resulting
success of the patrol.
7. Reliable native information
received today states that Porfirio Sanchez is
now in hiding at Monte Grande, three leagues
south of Palacaguina, at the house of one Elijio
Castellon. He has a woman there and also has two
followers with him armed with rifles. He is
Sandino's chief of artillery, i/e. machine guns,
and a Honduranian. His head would look well on a
pole. The ranch is four leagues from here but
only by way of a difficult and dangerous trail.
It is more accessible from Pueblo Nuevo. He is
described as being very thin and tall,
clean-shaven and with straight smooth black
hair. He wears glasses but not continually. He
carries a .45 automatic pistol and usually wears
a sash across his chest. His face is round and
dark and he has two gold teeth in front. If
Pueblo Nuevo cannot go after him, please let us
know and we will make a try from here. It will
be necessary to make a two day patrol of it as I
have not mounts enough for a patrol of
sufficient size. This is foreign to my present
policy of never camping on the trail.
8. In connection with the
description of the above leader, I have been
informed that the picture of Sandino forwarded
to me by Regtl. Hdqtrs. is not the Sandino in
whom we are interested. The enclosed photograph
is one furnished me by a member of the guardia
here who was an orderly to General Parajon in
the recent unpleasantness and knows Sandino
well. His, Sandino's color is not yellow but
fair (rubio). His eyes are bluish green. His age
is probably near 40 but his appearance is much
younger. His height is about five feet five or
six. He does not have an Indian build. He does
like to speak Mexican, particularly in cussing.
He affects usually a large sombrero, and as a
rule he avoids leggings or putts in favor of
high boots. His weight is not more than 130
pounds. He is usually immaculate in appearance
and dress and always totes two guns. The picture
broadcast by the regiment is thought to be of
one Sandino but not A. C. Sandino. This
information is corroborated and expanded by
Senor Nicabor [Nicanor] Espinosa whose
information has always been reliable. I am
forwarding the picture for prints to be made
therefrom if desired but I have given my word to
return it to its owner.
9. We received 400 rations last week
as you know. Rations on hand after the evening
meal Nov. 11th are 700. We are [ p. 3 ] living
off the country as far as possible.
10. The aviation field progresses
steadily but slowly. What we most need is a team
of oxen and a plough but advertising as far as
Palacaguina has failed to locate them. The bumps
will be off the airway in two or three days but
until we can plough it, it will always be rough.
11. I am requesting the
quartermaster direct for money as the Government
now owes me some $35. I am just now sending my
vouchers at the same time. One set and another
letter to you were lost by the plane this
morning.
12. I appreciate very much your
successful efforts in behalf of promoting
Private Macon to corporal. Such a speedy triumph
over Regimental red tape is monumental. I am
particularly desirous of securing a promotion of
Private Handzlik and Willis to Corporal.
Anything you can do in that connection will be
gratefully appreciated by the undersigned.
/s/ Wilburt S. Brown.
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RG127/212/1
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