Quilali, Nicaragua.                          4 January 1928.

 
From:           Non Commissioned Officer in charge of Lt. Richal's column.
To:               The Brigade Commander, 2nd Brigade, USMC.
 
Subject:        Engagement with bandits.
 
     1.            At about 1255, December 30, 1927, while marching on Quilali, this expedition encountered a bandit force of Sandino estimated to be about 50 strong on the trail about 22 miles from Telpaneca. The action lasted about 25 minutes, when the enemy was routed and our forces proceeded toward Quilali.
 
     2.             At the time the enemy force was encountered our forces were marching in single file, up a steep narrow trail from a creek or river (name unknown to the undersigned), our point had just gained the crest of this hill when the enemy opened fire from a position on our left flank, and a distance no greater than 50 feet, with rifles and pistols. The bandits were well hidden and at no time were more than three seen. The bandits were so situated that to retreat all they did was to drop down the hill on the opposite side, which they did after about 20 minutes, being driven back by our point.
 
     3.            By command of Lt Richal, our point made an attempt to flank the enemy after their retreat by advancing to a point about 500 yards ahead of our column, but the flanking party could only get in a few long range shots, which damaged the enemy to the extent of three killed.
 
MARINE CASUALTIES: Wounded seriously, COYLE, John P. Pvt.
 
     4.           (a) No ammunition lost.    (b) No cargo lost
                   (c) No animals lost.
 
     5.           It is unknown to the undersigned as to whether or not Lieut. Richal submitted a report of this engagement.
 
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - E. G. BROWN * * * * * * *
                                                                       Gy-Sgt., USMC.

127/43A/20
See also Neill Macaulay, The Sandino Affair (Duke 1985), p. 100