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PC28.05.25   UNKNOWN MARINE

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28.05.25.   Unknown Marine, Patrol Report, San Francisco de Guajiniquilapa

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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Excerpt from R-2 Intelligence Report, 1 June 1928 (RG127/209/2).  Author unknown.

T  R  A  N  S  C  R  I  P  T  I  O  N

. . . (23) Fr. Intelligence Report, LEON: Following extract from the C.O. SOMOTILLO REPORT:

"At 2100, May 24th, a patrol of five Marines while proceeding from SAN FRANCISCO to LAGERO [LIGERO] and while in a level open space at the entrance to a deep ravine in that vicinity were surrounded by the point of an armed column of natives numbering approximately (the point) thirty men. Just as the patrol was taking position and preparing to fire into the point, thinking that the entire band was of this strength, the patrol heard loud native voices further up the ravine and with the aid of the flashes of lightning, were able to discern along column coming down the ravine toward them. The patrol crawled under cover of the brush to one side of the trail and observed. The point of the band searched the three or four houses in the vicinity for the Marines, and at times were within thirty feet of the patrol. After a search of no more than an hour the band moved southwestward toward SAN FRANCISCO. It was in this manner that the patrol was able to make an almost exact count, which was about fifty mounted and between 150 and 160 on foot all armed and with either pistols or rifles. After the column had cleared the vicinity the Marines obtained information from the inhabitants of this district that bands recently had been killing cattle and stealing provisions as well as terrorizing the people. From unverified information it was learned that the leader is FERFONIO VANQUEDANO [VERBONICO VAQUEDANO]; that the band scatters during the day and organizes at night in a deep ravine about 8 miles northeast of SAN FRANCISCO about 9 miles northwest of SAN JUAN de LIMAY, in the northwest portion of the square Western Nicaragua Map. The patrol followed the band until daybreak when the band broke up into small units and took various trails to the north in direction of EL ANGEL JONOMICO [JOCOMICO] and LAGERO [LIGERO]. A patrol of twelve men was sent out from SAN FRANCISCO to gain contact on May 25th. On the night of May 26th with ten more Marines from SOMOTILLO a patrol of 21 men cleared SAN FRANCISCO and LAGERO."

127/209/2

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Map of the places identified in this report

Summary & Notes:

   In the southwestern Segovias near the Honduran border, an unknown patrol commander decides that discretion is the better part of valor, as his foot patrol of five Marines hides in the bush along the trail and watches a large, well-armed column, described as some 200 men -- 50 mounted and 150-160 on foot -- pass them by.  The outlaw column, reportedly led by the enigmatic Verbonico Vaquedano, was said to be heading southwest from the village of Ligero.  Extant EDSN correspondence contains no references to Vaquedano, and it is unknown whether he was formally affiliated with the EDSN or was an independent actor and outlaw.
   "Inhabitants of this district" later report that members of this band had been "terrorizing" local people and stealing cattle.  The local economy throughout much of this district was given over to cattle ranches, and ranch owners frequently complained about local working people rustling cattle.

   Circled area on the map (encompassing the villages of Ligero and El Angel) is where the author of the report says there's a "deep ravine" where the members of this band gather at night to organize their outlawry.
   Thanks to Lebanon Valley College student Erin Williams for transcribing this report.

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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