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MARINE DETACHMENT
TELPANECA, NICARAGUA,
NOVEMBER 11, 1927
From: The Commanding
Officer
To: The
Division Commander, Division of Nueva
Segovia
Subject: Operations, Report on.
1. Since the date of
my last report only one combate patrol
had been sent out from this post due to
a lack of reliable information. The one,
however, was fairly productive of
desired results.
2. On the morning of November 10th at 0200 Lieut
Satterfield took out a patrol of ten
Marines and ten guardia to attack a
group of
bandits about forty bandits under
Porfirio Sanchez, who was reported to be
in the area of San Juan at a distance of
about ten miles.
3. The patrol arrived on the scene at about 0500
and found the camp asleep. An outpost of
five men about one hundred and fifty
yards from the main camp spoiled a
complete surprise. Four of these were
killed and one captured. He was later
killed while trying to escape. This
outpost, cornered, fought desperately
Pvts Thomas W. Harris and Lloyd A.
Krummel are worthy of commendation for
their prompt and fearless action when
this outpost opened fire at a range
about about twenty yards. They were in
the lead, Krummel with an automatic
rifle and they silenced the outpost
before it could fire more than a
few half dozen shots. Harris
entered the house and brought out the
prisoner. Both these men, by the way,
strongly endeavor to get their names on
the roster of every patrol that goes out
from here; and Krummel though small in
size, is the only automatic rifleman
here who can stand up under the weight
of his weapon on our swift patrols over
these mountainous trails.
4. The main camp was aroused by the fight at the
outpost but stood its ground to fight
for a few minutes. The patrol had to
deploy on a bare hillside but its fire
was so immediately effective that the
bandits broke and ran taking their
wounded with them. They discharged
several dynamite bombs with the probable
hope of frightening the patrol. But
aside from two men who were hit with
ricochets without breaking the skin the
patrol suffered no casualties. Lieut
Satterfield estimated that there were
ten or more bandits wounded in this
phase of the scrap. Information received
from the natives today indicates that
this estimate is very conservative.
According to these accounts there were
at least twenty wounded, many of whom
have died or are dying from wounds.
Sanchez himself escaped with two
companions but was unable to rally none
of his forces.
5. When the firing ceased, Lieut. Satterfield
skirmished forward but encountered no
further resistance. In the camp he
captured four rifles, eleven machetes,
one mule (found to be the property of
Nicanor Espinosa of this town), and a
large supply of [p. 2]
 food
and clothing. All this was destroyed.
Incidentally, there also discovered a
marine O.D. shirt with the name R. E.
MEETZE stenciled thereon and twenty-one
rounds of .30 cal. ammunition in clips.
Some of the men here remember Meetze to
have been a member of the 14th Company,
11th Regiment, but how the shirt and
ammunition came into the hands of the
bandits is a mystery. The patrol
returned to Telpaneca without further
pursuit arriving here at 1100 without
mishap.
6. With no idea that this praise will add much to
Satterfields reputation, the undersigned
wishes to go on record as commending and
appreciating the able handling and
resulting success of the patrol.
7. Reliable native information received today
states that Porfirio Sanchez is now in
hiding at Monte Grande, three leagues
south of Palacaguina, at the house of
one Elijio Castellon. He has a woman
there and also has two followers with
him armed with rifles. He is Sandino's
chief of artillery, i/e. machine guns,
and a Honduranian. His head would look
well on a pole. The ranch is four
leagues from here but only by way of a
difficult and dangerous trail. It is
more accessible from Pueblo Nuevo. He is
described as being very thin and tall,
clean-shaven and with straight smooth
black hair. He wears glasses but not
continually. He carries a .45 automatic
pistol and usually wears a sash across
his chest. His face is round and dark
and he has two gold teeth in front. If
Pueblo Nuevo cannot go after him, please
let us know and we will make a try from
here. It will be necessary to make a two
day patrol of it as I have not mounts
enough for a patrol of sufficient size.
This is foreign to my present policy of
never camping on the trail.
8. In connection with the description of the
above leader, I have been informed that
the picture of Sandino forwarded to me
by Regimental Headquarters is not the
Sandino in whom we are interested. The
enclosed photograph is one furnished me
by a member of the guardia here who was
an orderly to General Parajon in the
recent unpleasantness and knows Sandino
well. His, Sandino's color is not yellow
but fair (rubio). His eyes are bluish
green. His age is probably near 40 but
his appearance is much younger. His
height is about five feet five or six.
He does not have an Indian build. He
does like to speak Mexican, particularly
in cussing. He affects usually a large
sombrero, and as a rule he avoids
leggings or putts in favor of high
boots. His weight is not more than 130
pounds. He is usually immaculate in
appearance and dress and always totes
two guns. The picture broadcast by the
regiment is thought to be of one Sandino
but not A. C. Sandino. This information
is corroborated and expanded by Senor
Nicanor Espinosa whose information has
always been reliable. I am forwarding
the picture for prints to be made
therefrom if desired but I have given my
word to return it to its owner.
9. We received 400 rations last week as you know.
Rations on hand after the evening meal
November 11th are 700. We are living off
the country as far as possible.
10. The aviation field progresses steadily but
slowly. What we most need is a team of
oxen and a plough but advertising as far
as Palacaguina has failed to locate
them. The bumps will be off the airway
in two or three days but until we can
plough it, it will always be rough. [p.
3]
11. I am requesting
the quartermaster direct for money as
the Government now owes me some $35. I
am just now sending my vouchers at the
same time. One set and another letter to
you were lost by the plane this morning.
12. I appreciate very much your successful
efforts in behalf of promoting Pvt.
Macon to corporal. Such a speedy triumph
over Regimental red tape is monumental.
I am particularly desirous of securing a
promotion of Private Lawrence C.
Handzlik and Lincoln L. Willis to
Corporal, and if possible of the further
promotion of Cpl. Daniel E. Macon to
Sergeant. He is one of the best men I
have encountered in many a day. Anything
you can do in that connection will be
gratefully appreciated by the
undersigned.
/s/ Wilburt S. Brown.
RG127/43A/3
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