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PC28.02.22   Shiebler

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28.02.22.   Shiebler, Patrol Report No. 7, Jinotega

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T  R  A  N  S  C  R  I  P  T  I  O  N

55th Company 11th Regiment, JINOTEGA,Nicaragua.
 
2 February 1928.

    PATROL REPORT NO. 7
 
55th Company patrol No.7, consisting of 36 enlisted men, 2nd Lieut: Prentice A. Shiebler commanding left Jinotega at 0500 February 19, 1928, to make contact with a bandit group reported to be in the vicinity of Montegrande.

     This patrol made camp on a river about 12 miles to the southeast of JINOTEGA and Monte Grande area, natives in that area reported that Ferrero [Miguel Angel Ortez] and Santa Maria [Santa María Sevilla] with about 50 bandits had been around that area since they left TRINIDAD,and were about to move to the southeast towards Naranjo but some of them were still in TAMBORINDO [Tamarindo].

     This patrol left camp at daylight on the morning of February 20th and proceeded towards TAMBORINDO which was about five miles down the river from our camp. At every house along the trail the natives, mostly women were frightened and all stated that some of the bandits had just passed by about an hour ahead of us. As we arrived at TAMBORINDO I noticed about 6 horses outside of one house and started towards it. Suddenly two men were seen running from us and at the same time four mounted men dashed across the river and started off on the trail south. One of these turned in his saddle and fired at us. One of the others was noticed to have a rifle slung across his back. This patrol opened fire and expended about 10 rounds of ammunition. Two squads were sent in pursuit, and further on in the bush two of the horses were found. The saddle of one was cut as if by a man's spur as he fell off to one side. There were marks on the ground which would have been made by a body being dragged away. A hat and a bag containing tortillas were also found. It is believed that two men were hit by our fire so as to cause them to fall from their mounts and were subsequently carried away by their comrades.

     A careful search was made for some time but no further evidence could be found. Shortly afterwards Captain Hall's patrol was signted,and he had with him the Chief of Police of TRINIDAD [Carmen Vílchez], this man recognized one of the captured horses as his own property which had been stolen by the bandits when they were in TRINIDAD. Captain Hall had a mounted patrol with him so he took up the pursuit of the bandits after they had scattered into the brush.  This patrol then returned to JINOTEGA,and arrived at 1230 21 Feb 28. The terrain in the above vicinity is very hilly,and well covered with brush, affording excellent opportuinity for concealment. Before leaving this patrol was assured by the natives that the bandits had all fled to the south and southeast.

/s/ Prentice A.Shiebler.
Lieut: U.S.M.C.

127/220/6

Summary & Notes:

   Patrol caught glimpses of complex intersection of Liberal, Conservative, and Sandinista strugggles. "Ferrera" was Sandinista General Miguel Angel Ortéz; "Santa María" was Liberal gang leader Santa María Sevilla, temporarily allied with Ortéz; and the Chief of Police of La Trinidad, the Conservative Carmen Vílchez.  Three months later, in early June 1928, Sevilla received a Guardia amnesty, after relentless Marine-Guardia efforts to disarm him. Chief of Police Vílchez had many Conservative friends and allies, including Conservative gang leader Marcelino Hernández, active around La Trinidad till late 1928.  These struggles were far more complex than just Sandinista vs. Marines.
   Women along the trail frightened; Marines attribute it to recent passage of "bandits," but could also be from USMC reputation via rumors of aggression & violence.
   Incident that sparked military contact smells fishy: that the man would turn in his saddle and shoot at the Marines as he rode away seems very unlikely.  These were people in their own homes, and the Marines barging in.  Sounds fabricated.  More likely:  unduly aggressive Marines covering their tracks for shooting to kill natives.  What would natives' version of events be?

   Remarkable description of tracks and signs of man who fell off horse and was carried away by his comrades.

P C - D O C S :      P A T R O L   &   C O M B A T    R E P O R T S
thru 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 +

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