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OFFICE OF THE DIVISION COMMANDER
DIVISION OF NUEVA SEGOVIA
OCOTAL, NIC.
6 Nov. 1927.
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From: |
The Division Commander. |
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To: |
The Brigade Commander. |
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Subject: |
Report of situation in Quilali
Sector. |
1. After consideration has been given the facts
in this letter, instructions are
requested as to whether further
operations in and around Chipote are
deemed advisable at the present time.
2. As to the fate of Lieut. Thomas and Sergeant
Dowdell; the undersigned and all
officers at Jicaro and in Gould's
column, feel certain that Thomas and
Dowdell are dead. At the Orosi Ranch
between Jicaro and Ocotal, Gould was
informed by the owner, who is very
friendly and where our troops invariably
spend the night enroute to and from
Jicaro and Ocotal, that after the crash,
the aviators removed one machine gun
from the plane and attacked the bandits
nearest to the, killing four. When the
machine gun ammunition was exhausted,
they fled north-west along the valley of
the Jicaro River, with only their
pistols. They succeeded in escaping from
the bandits temporarily. Two natives
were met whom they forced to guide them
in the direction of Jicaro. One of these
guides cut the aviator badly with a
machete along the neck, and the other
aviator shot and killed this guide. Then
the other guide escaped and informed
Sandino where the aviators were. Which
one was wounded could not be found out,
the other one, however, was able to
support the wounded aviator to a cave,
where they made their last stand and
after killing two more bandits, were in
turn, killed by a detachment of
twenty-five bandits sent out by Sandino
for this purpose.
3. The above story came from Presentacion Ortez,
owner of this Orosi Ranch, and he stated
he had this story from the brother of a
bandit who was present at the time. He
assured our troops that the story was
true, or at least that he believed it,
as it was told to him frankly with no
idea that he was going to repeat it to
the Americans.
4. Now it is extremely doubtful if a new patrol
would be able to get a further and more
definite information than the above.
5. Gould and all the officers with him, state as
their opinion that no less than one
hundred and fifty combat troops will be
required to capture Chipote, which is on
top of the highest mountain in that
area; furthermore, that trench mortars
and 37 mm. guns will be necessary. That
Sandino has sent out a call to all his
people stating that Chipote is being
threatened by the Americans. This will
result in our next patrol meeting his
combined forces, and bitter resistance.
6. Since the fate of the aviators seems to be
fairly well established, it appears to
me that very possible further operations
in that area, with forces now available
here, and under our present ration
situation, at this time, may be
premature, and that surer and better
results might be expected in about three
months, after Quilali, Jalapa and San
Albino have been garrisoned. [ p. 2 ]
7. This matter is of such importance, that I do
not feel justified in making a decision
without first putting the matter plainly
before your office.
- - - - /s/ R. W. PEARD - - - - -
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NA127/212/1
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