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{{Infobox military conflict
{{Infobox military conflict
|conflict=Battle of Agua Carta
| conflict = Battle of Agua Carta
|partof=the [[Nicaraguan civil war (1926–27)|Nicaraguan Civil War]], [[United States occupation of Nicaragua|Occupation of Nicaragua]], [[Banana Wars]]
| partof = the [[Nicaraguan civil war (1926–27)|Nicaraguan Civil War]], [[United States occupation of Nicaragua|Occupation of Nicaragua]], [[Banana Wars]]
| image= Chesty Puller and Ironman Lee.jpg
| image = Chesty Puller and Ironman Lee.jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_size = 300
|caption=''Chesty Puller (center left) and Ironman Lee (center right) in Nicaragua, 1931.''
| caption = ''Chesty Puller (center left) and Ironman Lee (center right) in Nicaragua, 1931.''
|date=26 September 1932
| date = 26 September 1932
|place=[[Agua Carta]], [[Nicaragua]]
| place = [[Agua Carta]], [[Nicaragua]]
|coordinates=
| coordinates =
|result=American-Nicaraguan victory
| result = American-Nicaraguan victory
|combatant1={{flag|Nicaragua}}
| combatant1 = {{flag|Nicaragua}}
|combatant2=[[File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg|23px]] [[Augusto César Sandino|Sandinistas]]
| combatant2 = [[File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg|23px]] [[Augusto César Sandino|Sandinistas]]
|commander1={{flagicon|United States|1912}} Cap. [[Chesty Puller|Lewis Puller]]<br>{{flagicon|United States|1912}} Lt. William Lee
| commander1 = {{flagicon|United States|1912}} 1st Lt. [[Chesty Puller|Lewis Puller]]<br>{{flagicon|United States|1912}} GySgt [[William A. Lee]]
|commander2=[[File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg|23px]] [[Augusto César Sandino]]
| commander2 = [[File:Flag of Nicaragua.svg|23px]] [[Augusto César Sandino]]
|strength1=2 marines<br>42 national guards
| strength1 = 2 marines<br>40 national guard
|strength2=150 guerrillas
| strength2 = 150 guerrillas
|casualties1=2 killed<br>4 wounded
| casualties1 = 2 killed<br>4 wounded
|casualties2=10 killed<br>10 wounded
| casualties2 = At least 24 killed<br>10 dead rebel bodies counted<br>10 wounded
|notes=
| notes =
}}
}}
{{United States occupation of Nicaragua}}
{{United States occupation of Nicaragua}}


The '''Battle of Agua Carta''', or the '''Battle of Lindo Lugar''', was an engagement between the [[National Guard (Nicaragua)|National Guard of Nicaragua]] and the [[rebellion|rebel]]s of [[Augusto César Sandino]] in 1932.<ref name=Musicant>Musicant, I, The Banana Wars, 1990, New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., {{ISBN|0025882104}}</ref>{{rp|357–359}}
The '''Battle of Agua Carta''', or the '''Battle of Lindo Lugar''', was an engagement between the [[National Guard (Nicaragua)|National Guard of Nicaragua]] and the [[rebellion|rebel]]s of [[Augusto César Sandino]] in 1932.<ref name=Musicant>Musicant, I, The Banana Wars, 1990, New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., {{ISBN|0025882104}}</ref>{{rp|357–359}}
It was fought near Mount Kilambe at the Agua Carta, a river in Sandino territory, as part of the American [[United States occupation of Nicaragua|occupation]] of [[Nicaragua]] and a long lasting [[Nicaraguan civil war (1926–27)|civil war]].<ref name="militarytimes1">{{cite web|url=http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=5665 |title=Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller : Date of birth: June 26, 1898 : Date of death: October 11, 1971 |publisher=Militarytimes.com |accessdate=2015-05-31}}</ref><ref name="Alexander, pg. 61">Alexander, pg. 61</ref>
It was fought near Mount Kilambe at the Agua Carta, a river in Sandino territory, as part of the American [[United States occupation of Nicaragua|occupation]] of [[Nicaragua]] and a long lasting [[Nicaraguan civil war (1926–27)|civil war]].<ref name="militarytimes1">{{cite web |url=http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=5665 |title=Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller : Date of birth: June 26, 1898 : Date of death: October 11, 1971 |publisher=Militarytimes.com |access-date=2015-05-31 |archive-date=July 14, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714143806/http://www.militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards/recipient.php?recipientid=5665 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="Alexander, pg. 61">Alexander, pg. 61</ref>


==Battle==
==Battle==
Following America's return to Nicaragua in 1926, the [[United States Marines]] took command of the Nicaraguan National Guard to fight Sandino's rebels and an occupation began which lasted for several years. A mounted patrol of forty guards under [[First Lieutenant]] [[Chesty Puller|Lewis "Chesty" Puller]] and [[Gunnery Sergeant]] William "Ironman" Lee headed north from [[Jinotega]] on September 1, 1932. Because both Puller and Lee were technically part of the National Guard, Puller assumed the rank of [[captain (land)|captain]] and Lee a first lieutenant. While about eighty to 100 miles from the city and just northeast of Kilambe the patrol found the Agua Carta and proceeded to cross it when the rebels attacked. Ambushes at river crossings were very common during the occupation so Captain Puller and his guards had no trouble in fending off the attack. When completely across the Marines and the guards found a main body of the enemy, positioned on a ridge, an estimated 150 men armed with seven automatic weapons and a number of [[bolt action]] rifles.<ref name="militarytimes1"/><ref name="Alexander, pg. 61"/>
Following America's return to Nicaragua in 1926, the [[United States Marines]] took command of the Nicaraguan National Guard to fight Sandino's rebels and an occupation began which lasted for several years. In early September, [[First Lieutenant]] [[Chesty Puller]] discovered a trail which seemed to be the route used by the rebels in their southward thrusts. Chesty Puller returned to Jinotega and with [[Gunnery Sergeant]] [[William A. Lee|William "Ironman" Lee]] organized a strong force of forty guards for a [[Raid (military)|raid]] like patrol against the rebels. Because both Puller and Lee were technically part of the National Guard, Puller assumed the rank of [[captain (land)|captain]] and Lee a first lieutenant. The Nicaraguan national guard force under the command of Puller and Lee left on September 20. After traveling a distance, the patrol moved northwest from the bank of the Auyabal river. On September 26, 1932, the patrol was ambushed by a volley of rifle fire. Ambushes at river crossings were very common during the occupation so Captain Puller and his guards had no trouble in fending off the attack. A quick charge sent the attackers scurrying, for this was merely an attempt to harass the patrol. Lieutenant [[William A. Lee]] using a [[Lewis machine gun]] kept the enemy pinned down while the Nicaraguan guard worked their way up the slope opposite the rebel ambush party. When they gained the crest, they were able to fire directly into the rebel emplacements. <ref name="militarytimes1"/><ref name="Alexander, pg. 61"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/The%20US%20Marines%20in%20Nicaragua%20by%20Bernard%20C.%20Nalty.pdf?ver=2018-10-30-075558-780|title=The United States Marines In Nicaragua|publisher=Department Of The Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps Washington D.C. 20380|format=PDF|access-date= 21 October 2020}} pg. 33. </ref>


The main engagement began with the rebel [[militia]] attempting to flank the guards but this attack was repulsed largely due to Lee's fire from his [[Lewis machine gun|Lewis]] [[machine gun]]. Because of this Lee became a target and was one of the first men wounded by enemy fire. With two bullet wounds Lee managed to free his jammed machine gun and charge the ridge where he and a handful of other guards flanked from the left. Puller then advanced with the remaining men and flanked the rebels from the right and they were routed from the field. The battle was long and the rebels were found to have a large cache of ammunition available. Ten rebels were counted dead and at least ten others escaped wounded, of the guards two men were killed and four wounded. Captain Puller received his second [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] of five and later became a [[general]] in the United States Marine Corps. First Lieutenant Lee survived and also received a Navy Cross. On the return to Jinotega, Puller's patrol was ambushed twice on September 30 and both attacks were repulsed with heavy losses on the rebel forces.<ref name="militarytimes1"/><ref name="Alexander, pg. 61"/>
Puller's men had penetrated the center of a rebel encampment , seemingly killing sixteen of the enemy in the process. However, only ten rebels were counted dead and at least ten others escaped wounded. Of the guards two men were killed and four wounded. To obtain medical care for his wounded, Puller immediately withdrew back toward Jinotega. On the return to Jinotega, Puller's patrol was ambushed twice but suffered no further casualties and instead the Nicaraguan guard under Puller killed eight more rebels. Puller's patrol force arrived back at Jinotega on September 30 after their [[Raid (military)|raid]] on the rebel encampment. Captain Puller received his second [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] of five and later became a [[general]] in the United States Marine Corps. First Lieutenant Lee who received some wounds in this operation survived and also received a Navy Cross. on September 30.<ref name="militarytimes1"/><ref name="Alexander, pg. 61"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/The%20US%20Marines%20in%20Nicaragua%20by%20Bernard%20C.%20Nalty.pdf?ver=2018-10-30-075558-780|title=The United States Marines In Nicaragua|publisher=Department Of The Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps Washington D.C. 20380|format=PDF|access-date= 21 October 2020}} pg. 33. </ref>


==References==
==References==
Line 33: Line 33:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Alexander |first=H. Joseph |author2=Don Horan |edition= |title=The Battle History of the U.S. Marines: A Fellowship of Valor |year=1999 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishing |location=|isbn=}}
*{{cite book |last=Alexander |first=H. Joseph |author2=Don Horan |title=The Battle History of the U.S. Marines: A Fellowship of Valor |year=1999 |publisher=Harper Collins Publishing }}


{{coord missing|Nicaragua}}
{{coord missing|Nicaragua}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Agua Carta}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Agua Carta}}
[[Category:History of Nicaragua]]
[[Category:Banana Wars]]
[[Category:Banana Wars]]
[[Category:20th-century military history of the United States]]
[[Category:20th-century military history of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 20:32, 27 July 2024

Battle of Agua Carta
Part of the Nicaraguan Civil War, Occupation of Nicaragua, Banana Wars

Chesty Puller (center left) and Ironman Lee (center right) in Nicaragua, 1931.
Date26 September 1932
Location
Agua Carta, Nicaragua
Result American-Nicaraguan victory
Belligerents
 Nicaragua Sandinistas
Commanders and leaders
United States 1st Lt. Lewis Puller
United States GySgt William A. Lee		 Augusto César Sandino
Strength
2 marines
40 national guard		 150 guerrillas
Casualties and losses
2 killed
4 wounded		 At least 24 killed
10 dead rebel bodies counted
10 wounded

The Battle of Agua Carta, or the Battle of Lindo Lugar, was an engagement between the National Guard of Nicaragua and the rebels of Augusto César Sandino in 1932.[1]: 357–359  It was fought near Mount Kilambe at the Agua Carta, a river in Sandino territory, as part of the American occupation of Nicaragua and a long lasting civil war.[2][3]

Battle

[edit]

Following America's return to Nicaragua in 1926, the United States Marines took command of the Nicaraguan National Guard to fight Sandino's rebels and an occupation began which lasted for several years. In early September, First Lieutenant Chesty Puller discovered a trail which seemed to be the route used by the rebels in their southward thrusts. Chesty Puller returned to Jinotega and with Gunnery Sergeant William "Ironman" Lee organized a strong force of forty guards for a raid like patrol against the rebels. Because both Puller and Lee were technically part of the National Guard, Puller assumed the rank of captain and Lee a first lieutenant. The Nicaraguan national guard force under the command of Puller and Lee left on September 20. After traveling a distance, the patrol moved northwest from the bank of the Auyabal river. On September 26, 1932, the patrol was ambushed by a volley of rifle fire. Ambushes at river crossings were very common during the occupation so Captain Puller and his guards had no trouble in fending off the attack. A quick charge sent the attackers scurrying, for this was merely an attempt to harass the patrol. Lieutenant William A. Lee using a Lewis machine gun kept the enemy pinned down while the Nicaraguan guard worked their way up the slope opposite the rebel ambush party. When they gained the crest, they were able to fire directly into the rebel emplacements. [2][3][4]

Puller's men had penetrated the center of a rebel encampment , seemingly killing sixteen of the enemy in the process. However, only ten rebels were counted dead and at least ten others escaped wounded. Of the guards two men were killed and four wounded. To obtain medical care for his wounded, Puller immediately withdrew back toward Jinotega. On the return to Jinotega, Puller's patrol was ambushed twice but suffered no further casualties and instead the Nicaraguan guard under Puller killed eight more rebels. Puller's patrol force arrived back at Jinotega on September 30 after their raid on the rebel encampment. Captain Puller received his second Navy Cross of five and later became a general in the United States Marine Corps. First Lieutenant Lee who received some wounds in this operation survived and also received a Navy Cross. on September 30.[2][3][5]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Musicant, I, The Banana Wars, 1990, New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., ISBN 0025882104
  2. ^ a b c "Lewis B. "Chesty" Puller : Date of birth: June 26, 1898 : Date of death: October 11, 1971". Militarytimes.com. Archived from the original on July 14, 2014. Retrieved 2015-05-31.
  3. ^ a b c Alexander, pg. 61
  4. ^ "The United States Marines In Nicaragua" (PDF). Department Of The Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps Washington D.C. 20380. Retrieved 21 October 2020. pg. 33.
  5. ^ "The United States Marines In Nicaragua" (PDF). Department Of The Navy, Headquarters United States Marine Corps Washington D.C. 20380. Retrieved 21 October 2020. pg. 33.

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Alexander, H. Joseph; Don Horan (1999). The Battle History of the U.S. Marines: A Fellowship of Valor. Harper Collins Publishing.

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