817.00/4950: Telegram
The Minister in Nicaragua (Eberhardt) to the Secretary of State
[Received July 28—6:15 p.m.]
180. It is reported that yesterday Major Floyd, leading 74 marines and 37 constabulary en route to disarm Sandino and restore the San Albino mine to its American owner, had a skirmish at San Fernando resulting in 4 killed of Sandino’s men and a very slight flesh wound for one marine. Today two scouting aeroplanes reconnoitering road to Jicaro which Floyd expects to follow were subjected to rifle and machine-gun fire without result, about 3 miles out of San Fernando, by a group of armed men estimated to have numbered about 50 who were evidently preparing an ambush. Aeroplanes returned fire and dropped a few bombs scattering the group and counting 6 men lying on the ground supposed to have been killed or badly hurt. Floyd party tomorrow start for Jicaro where a considerable grouping is known to be, possibly including Sandino himself and where fight is expected about 29th.