SOMOTO, NICARAGUA
8 September, 1927.

   1.    On September 6, 1927, I received several reports of bandits to the southwest of SOMOTO. September the 7th at 1115, I took a mounted patrol of nineteen (19) men out to investigate.
 
   2.    The patrol passed thru San Isabel and Santa Lucia enroute to Mr. Mosier's ranch. No armed bands were encountered in either town, or on the roads. Mosier's ranch was reached at 1800.
 
   3.    The patrol then set out again at 2200 and proceeded in a northernly direction. On arriving near Mal Paso at 0700, from information received, I believed that Lobo and his band were using this as their headquarters.
 
   4.    While attempting to investigate, I was fired upon by a band located in a house. I returned the fire, and the band after four or five rounds of fire, fled to the rear of the building into a ravine. Due to the brush I was unable to follow them.
 
   5.    A careful search was made of the town and it was found that we had killed three men and wounded two. The two wounded men were in a serious condition so they were left with people of the town. It is also believed that several more were wounded and escaped. The Marines suffered no casualties.
 
   6.    Four mounts belonging to the band were captured and two saddles, also three rifles and Lobo's red and black banner.
 
   7.    The patrol then returned to SOMOTO arriving at 1335.
 
          /s/ S. J. Chappell

NA127/212/1