817.00 Bandit Activities, 1931/160

The Minister in Nicaragua (Hanna) to the Secretary of State

No. 378

Sir: I have the honor to report that the Brigade Commander has informed me that on April 23, 1931, Captain Inman, G. N. (Captain, U.S.M.C.) and a guardia patrol were in contact with a group of twenty bandits on the Lacus River. Four bandits were killed and three were wounded, while the guardia suffered no casualties.

On April 27 a guardia patrol under Lieutenant Truesdale (Corporal, U.S.M.C.) pursued a group of bandits who were sacking a finca west of Condega, caught up with the group at Aguacate, and fired at one bandit who escaped in the brush. Eleven animals and a quantity of clothing and blankets were captured. There were no guardia casualties.

On April 28 a Guardia patrol under Lieutenant Truesdale was in contact near Las Cucillas with a group of bandits killing ten including one minor bandit jefe. One who was captured reported that another jefe had been mortally wounded in the contact of April 27 and died shortly thereafter. There were no guardia casualties.

On May 2, 1931, Lieutenant Ragsdale (Sergeant, U.S.M.C.) and the guardia garrison at La Pineda was attacked by a small bandit group believed to be local robbers. The contact lasted twelve minutes, the group being pursued and routed. One bandit is known to have been wounded and there were no guardia casualties.

On May 10 information was received that a group of bandits was about two miles northeast of Yali. The Guardia Commander with a patrol of eight enlisted and four civicos cleared and succeeded in making contact with the group. The contact lasted fifteen minutes, with the bandits using rifles and bombs from a hill. Then the group fled and scattered leaving two known wounded. There were no guardia casualties.

Respectfully yours,

Matthew E. Hanna