T  R  A  N  S  C  R  I  P  T  I  O  N

Richardson's Ranch, Nicaragua.
19 April, 1928.

     1.   Accompanied by Major Larsen, U. S. M. C., I and 17enlisted men with 19 riding animals and 8 pack animals, left Richardson's at 1030 and arrived Tuma 1500, 16 April, 1928.

     2.   The same group left Tuma 0700, 17 April, 192, and arrived Corinto 1615 same date. As I gave my map to Captain Hart at Tuma - he not having a copy of the last one issued - I cannot describe route in relation to map. Route actually taken was as follows: Proceeded south from Marine Camp at Tuma 1½ miles along Tuma - Cuatros Esquinas Road; thence north-west to Corinto via Coyolar and La Trampa. Total distance estimated to be 23 miles. Distance from Marine Camp, Tuma, to La Trampa estimated at 18 miles. Trail from Tuma to La Trampa is a fair trail for pack animals. From La Trampa to Corinto trail is rough and considerable difficulty would be experienced by pack animals in passing over it after a three hour rain even in the dry season. It is believed that only pack bulls could pass from Corinto to La Trampa during rainy season, and perhaps there would be periods when nothing could be packed over this trail. La Trampa is a settlement of six houses within a radius of one hundred yards. Were the houses used exclusively by Marines, it would shelter one hundred men. There is a swift clear stream within a hundred yards of shelter. There is abundance of pasturage there and much cleared land surrounding the place. It is excellently suited for defense, but as far as I could see there are no main trails nearby other than the one I traversed. I would class it to be very poor as an offensive base. The trail I followed is south of the Tuma River and is more than two miles distant therefrom at all points along the route (except 1½ miles at starting point. Had airplane communication at 1300.

     3.   18 April, 1928, same patrol less Major Larsen and one sergeant, left Corinto 0700 and arrived Richardson's 1915. Marched via La Trampa - Coyolar - Tuma Trail to point 3 miles west of Tuma - Cuatros Esquinas Trail (same route traversed April 17th). From there we marched south on Coyolar - Cuatros Esquinas Trail and joined the Tuma - Matagalpa Road at Cuatros Esquinas. Trail distances estimated as follows: Corinto to junction of Coyolar - Cuatros Esquinas Trail, 19 miles; from junction of Coyolar - Cuatros Esquinas Trail to Cuatros Esquinas, 7 miles; Cuatros Esquinas to Richardson's, 7 miles. Total day's march 33, miles. The trail from Coyolar to Cuatro Esqunas runs along the ridge of a high mountain, the grades to and from which, are steep. This trail is the roughest I have encountered in this region, being badly cut up from pack animals. [ remainder not copied ]

/s/ C. L. Marshall

127/43A/20