T  R  A  N  S  C  R  I  P  T  I  O  N

HEADQUARTERS, THIRD BATTALION, FIFTH REGIMENT, U.S. MARINE CORPS
MATAGALPA, NICARAGUA
30 April 1928.

     1.   In obedience to reference (a), I left Matagalpa at 0730 on 24 April 1928, with 10 men, 2 pack mules and 5 days rations. I proceeded in the direction of Fundadora. Arriving within about 7 miles of Fundadora I left the main road going East into the valley between the Matagalpa - Fundadora and Matagalpa - Old Jinotega road. Searched all houses in this valley from this point North. At 1500 this date at Ocotal Espeso I found a sick man, a stranger in the valley, well dressed and answering somewhat to the description of Sandino. Leaving my patrol as a guard I hired a horse from one of the farm houses and returned to Matagalpa, with information obtained, to check up on the sick man's statement relative to receiving treatment from doctor Reatt of Matagalpa and to ascertain the nature of his illness;; also to obtain witnesses as to his identity as I believed the man too sick to move, especially should he not be the man wanted.

     2.   After reporting to my Commanding Officer and obtaining all information available I spent the night in Matagalpa, returning to Ocotal Espeso accompanied by Mr. G. Huper who volunteered to assist me in the identification of the sick man. After questioning the man and residents in the valley, some of them being well known to Mr. Huper it was decided that the man in question was a law-abiding citizen.

     3.   The day of 25 April 1928 was spent in this same valley. Among the houses visited was Mariano Castro; Utio Castro; E. Benedido Castro [Benavides Castro] and Mariano Uvedo, all ex-soldiers of Sandino, so I am informed. All claimed to have been soldiers of Moncada but stated that they had been home for over two months. The appearance of their places, truck gardens, repair of houses and fences and clearing of land indicated that work had been in progress for some time.

     4.   The night of 25 - 26 and 26 - 27 April 1928 was spent at Fundadora. The day of 26 April 1928 visited area West of Fundadora and South of the Fundadora - Jinotega trail. This took me to the house of Juan Uvedo [Juan Ubeda] where I could again look into the valley visited two days previous. Search with field glasses showed work in progress that had been previously observed. At the house of Juan Uvedo there was found four (4) revolvers .32 caliber and four (4) pistols 25 caliber automatic all in unserviceable condition due to missing parts and rust. [ p. 2 ] Condition plainly indicated that they had not been used for a long time passed. There was also found spare parts for fire-arms, about 100 empty brass cartridges cases for various caliber pistols and rifles and two brass tubes one inch in diameter and six inches long plugged at one end and with powder vent in the other, presumably a home made bomb. All contraband taken and while returning through virgin forest pistols and revolvers dismounted and parts thrown into inaccessible places along with the spare parts, empty cartridge cases, etc. I was informed that this man manufactured contraband liquor and it is my opinion that the weapons mentioned were taken in payment for liquor.

     5.   The day of 27 April 1928 was spent between La Fundadora and Aran Juez travelling via Aurora - Pariso [Paraiso] - Laguna Verde and visiting houses along inland trails.

     6.   On 28 April travelled from Aran Juez to Matagalpa via Encuentros - Harmonica - San Louis [San Luis]. San Louis is owned by a brother-in-law of Sandinos.

     7.   Abundance of water was found everywhere. The valley visited the first two days contains very little food for animals except shelled corn. Quite a few vegetables are grown here. Oranges out of season now and bananas just coming in. All natives very friendly and willing to assist in every way. Gladly gave food, and services as guides without mention of reward, payment, however, was made in cash in each instance. To the East and South of Fundadora there is plenty of water, food and shelter for men and animals. All places visited appeared quiet and were reported as such. No knowledge of any disturbance in the past two months.

/s/ R. ARNETT

127/43A/20