T  R  A  N  S  C  R  I  P  T  I  O  N

Marine and Guardia Detachment,
Telpaneca, Nicaragua,
8 January, 1928.

    1.   A group of 150 (one hundred and fifty) bandits under Alexandro Ferrera, (Honduranian), was reported in the Cuje district on 6 January, 1928 by a native who had been previously employed as a guide on patrols. This man was directed to locate the camp of the bandits and report the same to the commanding officer, which he did on 7 January, 1928. This man reported that the bandit chief was a Honduranian and one of Sandino's generals.
 
   2.    Lieutenant J. S. Satterfield cleared Telpaneca at 0330, 8 January, 1928, with a patrol consisting of twenty (20) enlisted marines and ten (10) Guardia Nacional. The guide had reported the bandit camp eight miles distance but it was actually twelve miles, Lieutenant Satterfield therefore arrived at 0830 thus preventing the surprise attack planned. The camp was located on a small hill, the bandits using seven native houses as quarters. It was a difficult position to approach, as a densely wooded ridge paralleled the trail, between the trail and the hill.
 
   3.    Lieutenant Satterfield led his patrol off the trail and approached the camp, but could observe no movement. It was evident that the bandits had observed the patrol. The advance guard reported a movement on the ridge; the patrol took cover and flankers were ordered out. A cautious advance was begun. Corporal Macon U.S.M.C. with ten men led an advance party covered by the balance of the patrol. The left flank was fired on at a range of about fifty yards; Corporal Macon took his party to the point fired upon and succeeded in routing the bandits at that point.
 
   4.    It was impossible to pursue the bandits due to the dense underbrush, and the possibility of the patrol shooting each other. Corporal Macon was ordered to cease firing and the balance of the patrol moved to the rear to secure a better field of fire. These men continued to fire as long as the bandits were visible. Firing ceased about ten minutes after the first shot was fired.
 
   5.    The bandits lost five (5) killed, wounded unknown, three rifles, two shotguns, and fifty two rounds of Remington ammunition. The following foodstuffs was found in the bandit camp:

20 Sacks Beans
28 Sacks Corn
25 Sacks Coffee

The foodstuffs was burned. Natives reported the group of bandits as being fifty (50) in number, led by one of Sandino's lieutenants but not Ferrera.
 
   6.    The patrol suffered no casualties. The following named marines were on the patrol:

Sgt. Wagner, John E.
Cpl. Macon, Daniel E
Pfc Barfield, Henry J.
Pvts. Albright, Clyde H.
 "    Bryan, Robert I
 "    Bush, John M.
 "    Dzierwa, Walter J.
 "    Eicher, William
 "    Greathouse, Lester V.
 "    Harris, Thomas W.
 "    Isdell, Charles J.
 "    Kincannon, John W.
 [others also listed but not photocopied]

/s/ C. G. Wadbrook

127/43A/33