District of Quilali
Quilali, Nicaragua
19 October, 1930

 

From:      The District Commander
To:        The Area Commander, Northern Area Guardia

           

Nacional, Ocotal.
 
Subject:   Patrol, Report of.
 
      1.   On Wednesday, 15 October, 1930 I received one civil prisoner from the Juez de Mesta of Buenos Aires by the name of Juan Diaz G. (offense: attempt at murder). He told us he knew where there was a bandit camp in the Valley of the San Juan river. (attached is a list of the group.)
 
      2.   Thursday, 16 October, 1930. I cleared at 0700 with fifteen enlisted and civil prisoner to try and locate the above camp.
 
16 October.
 
Cleared Quilali at 0700. Reached Coco River at 1115 and crossed. Followed well beaten trail on south side of Coco, heading Southwest. Trail passed through forest, could not see the sky at any time until we reached point estimated as being the point 240.5-358.5. Found a well beaten trail going north and south which leads to La Rica (240-351.5). Turned north following trail to the Coco River arriving at 1545. Chamaste was just across the river. On the map it is located at 240-359.2. The river was running high but made a crossing and found one shack which had not been used / p. 2 / for some time as the roof was overgrown and no signs inside -- camped here at 1615. Estimated distance covered six leagues. Nothing happened during the night.
 
17 October, 1930.
 
Cleared at 0730 heading northeast. Arrived at first house about 0830. This was a large house with mud walls and shingle roof. Showed signs of having been used. Some cattle here. There were three trails leading to this house, all three trails well used. Moved on North East up mountain - located another shack on banana grove but not in use although guide said it had been at one time, it had fallen down. Next found new straw shack on side of mountain in rice field. Had been used but did not destroy so as not to inform rest of section. A short time later found a shack loaded with cane. The guide said it was a source of supply, also there were no more houses with people further on so I destroyed this. Two more containing corn were found. They were destroyed. Estimate one hundred arrobas were destroyed. There was no way to bring it in as it was all one could do to get our animals over the trail, lightly loaded. At 1500 we arrived at the first house seen that morning. Camped. Estimated distance covered five leagues. Nothing happened during the night.
 
18 October, 1930.
 
Cleared at 0700 heading east hitting Coco / p. 3 / River at 0830. Followed the river on the north side, heading east. Trail was an old trail most of the way so had to cut our way. Arrived at Sta. Rita (245-360.9) at 1630 and made camp. Estimated distance covered six leagues. Nothing happened during the night.
 
19 October, 1930
 
Cleared at 0720 for Quilali, arrived at 0900. Estimated distance covered three leagues.
 
3.    Observations during patrol. Trails covered were, as a while well traveled although over grown, it was noticed that the trails would fade, then later appear more traveled. I also noticed that near these points the brush & grass on the side of the tail would show signs of having been passed over, as by one man at a time. This is probably signs of inf----- so as to throw patrols off. It seems to be a source of corn as all three store houses had been cased. The crops were good. Rice, corn and bananas.

 

/s/   R. H. Hunt, Capt, G.N.

PC30.10.19. RG127/202/13