Charles R. Skeels Photographs

The collection consists of 32 2.5x4 black and white photos, 29 3x5 photos, and one 1.5x2.5 photo. The 2.5x4 images were taken by Skeels and depict the surrender of Francisco Sequeira (aka General Cabulla) and his army in Chinandega and events surrounding the surrender including a funeral train for two American Marines killed in an encounter with Cabulla's men at La Paz Centro. All of these events occurred in May, 1927. The incident and the surrender are described on pages 42-47 of The Sandino Affair by Neill Macaulay. The photographs are numbered on the back and are described in a letter sent by Skeels to Macaulay on September 25, 1970. The letter is included with the collection. The 3x5 images are on postcard stock and, according to the letter, were purchased from a newsman in Chinandega. They depict the effects of fighting in the town, burnt corpses, and unidentified Nicaraguan armed units. These photographs were presumably taken shortly after fighting between Liberal and Conservative armies in the Chinandega department in April, 1927. A photograph of the Hotel Capitolio is identified as the place where Skeels was stationed for three months.