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1st Mtd B'n.
Los Robles
28 March 28.
To C. O. Matagalpa
For R-2
The undersigned returned this date, from
a patrol to La Pabona, located in a
valley North of the Cuchillas Mountains.
Recurring reports had come in to Las
Robles that Nicolas Davila, had been at
the house of Eulalio Flores, that he had
left and was returning with a bandit
group.
While on the road to the Tuma River,
information was received that both
Davila and Flores were then in the
latters house. Davila is reported to be
foraging jefe and the valley mentioned
is said to be one of his favorite supply
fields. Flores is a Juez de Mesta, is
reported as a supply depot used by
Davila. i.e./Davila makes the farm his
headquarters and causes inhabitants to
bring food etc. to the Flores farm for
further transmittal to Sandino. Flores
in turn is reported to have used his
power as Juez to ably second Davila in
the above procedure.
As Lt. Jack was making a road sketch of
the trail from Tuma River North, and
only Lt. Humphries and myself knew of
the contemplated attempt to get Flores
and Davila, it was a comparatively easy
matter to give the impression that the
patrol was for the purpose of making a
map, which was done.
The method by which Flores was caught is
unorthodox and not recommended although
it worked in this case.
Knowing that word had preceded us, I
worked on the bare possibility that
Davila and Flores might not have left or
if they had, that they might be in the
near vicinity. The supposition proved
correct in the case of Flores.
When within a quarter of a mile from
Flores farm, the undersigned rode to the
front of the point. The house which sits
well up on a hill, was closed up. No one
was in sight. This in itself was
suspicious as a patrol passing by
inevitably draws the inhabitants to
their doors unless the place is
deserted. When about midway up a boy
came down hill. Not wishing to flush the
quarry I allowed the boy to continue
until I reached the house when I passed
the word to send the boy back up the
hill. I rode to back of house and gently
requested that the door be opened.
Flores' wife opened the front door.
Inside the house were the wife, a
daughter and a maid, also three small
children. The wife was visibly
frightened, perspiring freely although
the day was cool and had visibly
displayed, hanging from her neck a
scapula and a medal. Facing the door was
a large sized altar with a lighted lamp
on it. Still gently, I asked permission
to make camp.-- I asked whose house this
was. In other words, feigned extreme
innocence. Permission to make camp was
granted with the suggestion that down by
the stream would be better. She asked
why I had made the boy come back and I
told her that as the the place was
closed I thought he might be an
inhabitant and that I was going to ask
him for permission to camp. [ p. 2 ]
She then asked me if the boy was free to
go and I told her "certainly". Shortly
thereafter the woman re-assured went
into the galley which adjoined. While
there she evidently made some signal
because after a little Flores came in,
held a whispered conference with his
woman and introduced himself as head of
the house. He was immediately placed
under surveillance unknown to him and
the trap was left open, but Davila had
gone. Flores had no intimation that he
was wanted until the next morning.
Returning to Los Robles and while North
of the Tuma River, a report was received
that Pedron Altamirano, Davila and a
group were at the time at a house of
Santos Vasquez at La Virgen. However, as
the undersigned by then had the full
confidence of a conservative who had
been instrumental in the success of the
mission and who had a rather fair
working intelligence system of his own,
the matter was referred to him and it
was agreed that he was to check up to
see if the reports were correct, which
he said he could easily do, and that if
it were true, he was to communicate with
us at Riveras' before 0800-28 March 28,
and that we would then proceed to La
Virgen. No report was received. Also
made arrangements for the same man to
keep me informed of happenings in
Cuchillas, La Virgen, La Pabona and
Guapinol.
Flores' farm was searched. Eight
machetes (narrow blade) and a handful of
ammunition were found. No other arms. If
he had them they were hidden out.
The boy who came down the hill is a son
of which he has two. One about 18, the
other about 20. He has working for him
eight mozos. During all the waking
hours, the women were making tortillas
and the father and sons were shelling
and husking corn. The tortillas made
were far too many for the people there.
Supposition:-A shipment out is being
prepared.-Also, on the trail, Flores
stated that the women had given aid and
prepared food for Sandino, but that he
was guiltless.
Herewith, two sketches, which aviation
might find useful. It is believed that
if a few of our friends' supply depots
are strafed, it will have a salubrious
effect on the slackening of enthusiastic
help he is receiving.
Note:- I told the woman that if a plane
came by and dropped a white rag, that it
would be a signal for everybody in the
house to get out immediately, as the
planes would open fire within five
minutes thereafter.
/s/ P. C. GEYER
Captain, U.S.M.C.
127/204/4
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