GUARDIA AND MARINE DETACHMENT
PATASTE, NICARAGUA.

                                                             26 November 1927.

From:            The Commanding Officer, G. N.
To:                The Division Commander, Ocotal, Nicaragua.
 
Subject:         Contact with bandits.
 
     1.      Cleared 83 at 1600- 24 November 1927 with patrol of seven mounted Marines.  Formed junction with eight mounted Guardias near Mal Paso.  Proceeded to patrol the frontier.  Patrolled from Mojon going north.  At 1430- Nov. 25 1927 while near Laguna Colorado, Nicaragua, which is one league south of Es Pino [Espino], Nicaragua observed a number of shacks with some armed natives on sentry post.  One shack had a large blue flag flying in front.  Was told that it was the camping place of a band of thirty outlaws belonging to Anastacio Hernandez.  Approached within 100 yds. of the shacks when fired on.  Immediately attacked.  Killed four bandits and wounded several; the rest of the bandits fled towards the frontier via a ravine.  Was fired on from the Honduranian side and returned the fire.  Strafed the shacks with rifle and hand grenades.  Burned a [---] outlaw's shacks.  Captured one mare, one cow, large quantity of corn, beans, etc. and ninety rounds of Mauser ammunition.
 
     2.      Private Frederico Blanco, G. N. # 205 and Private R. A. Donnell, U.S.M.C. were both grazed by bullets. Combined patrol fought with energy and determination, and with increasing ferocity and aggressiveness.
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - / s / H. S. KEIMLING - - - - -
 
 

127/43A/3