Daily Nashville patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1857-1858, 1857-06-19
The sonora FIIfbusters.

Inc laSC steamers from California, bring
the details Of the massacre of Col. Henry
A. Crabb, and his followers. Col. Crabb
was a native Tennesseean, and was princi-
pally raised at this place. He was a law
yer, and the son of Judge Crabb. for MANY
years one of the leading members of the
Nashville Bar. Col. Crabb was a man of
strong and vigorous intellect and fair cul-
tivation. He took high position at the
bar and in the politics of California, and
was prominent candidate for the United
States Senate, from that State, last year.
To many of his friends and relatives here.
his untimely and melancholy fate has
brought a thrill of deep sorrow. The
San Francisco Herald gives the full par
ticulars of the affair. We subioin some of
the most interesting details, as they oc-
Cured at Caborca:
Fighting continued eight DAYS. with a loss 10
the Americans OF % killed. The Mexican Ioss il
reported by themselves to have been twenty-five,
but is supposed to have been much preater-ss
high Is two hundred. On the eighth day'sp at
tempt was made by two Of Crabb's men to blow
up the church by plncing kcg of powder under
the portco and firing it. The devoted men who
attempted this we're both killed, and Crabb is said
to have been wounded in experimenting It. 1t is
said offer was made by Crabb to retire If the
Mexicans would allow it. He had refused to re-
tire when the offer made him, after the fight
Ing had continued two DAYS, and now the Mpxicans
confident of his weakness and their triumph re-
fused. The Americans we're gradually but surely
caught 10 snare from which there was no escape
BY breaking through the wall Of the adjoining
houses the Mexicans forced Crabb and his men into
the corner buildings, which they repeatedly set on
fire, but which the Americans as often extinpuish-
ed. At last Pspago Indian shot into the roof of
the main building occupied by the unhappy fiji
busters, a lighted arrow. The flames caught the
roof and In few moments the fire was caught
dropping in great fakes upon the heads Of the
doomed men within. Worn out with constant
fighting, exhausted with anxiety famished oy pro-
badly DAYS OF starvation and thirst and without
ammunition, Henry Crabb and fftv-eight men
marched out Of the burning house, with a white
Gag before them. laid down their arms and sur
rendered, IL is supposed, uncondtionaIly This
was in the night or towards mornin They were
Immediately tied, their hands behind them, taken
TO a corral near the Alcalde's Office, where they
were kept until morning, when they we're taken
out 10 squads Of 8 and 10 each and shot In the
first executions Il found the calmness Of
the Americans discomposed the e1ecutioners and
they shot too high or too low, in many cases only
woundng their victims. The backs Of the fated
men were then turned to the troops and they sue
ceeded 10 aiming with better eff, Ct
McCoun, (may he rest In peace,) owing TO his
great stature. was saved this torture, ball struck
him full in the breast at the 6rst FIRE and he fell
dead. Crabb alone reserved for a solitary
death. He WAS taken to the Alcade's Office, cues
toned allowed TO write letter to his wife, and 10
have an interview with DR.. Evans, prisoner in
the hands Of the MeIicsns, who had been in con-
hnement some weeks on suspicion. The hour for
his execution having arrived, be was led out, bis
hands str tched above his head and tied to a post
In front of the building be had occupied his face 10
the post and his back 20 his executoners At the
command fire." at least hundred balls we're fred
into his body, and all that was mortal Of Henry A.
CrSbb hung dead, swinging by his tied hands. A
Me1icrn stepped forward, and with large knife
severed his head from the body-the warm blood
spirting half way across the street The head was
placed on table in front, or 10 the Office Of the
Jaez, exposed 10 the jeers of the populance. II
was then placed In jar Of mescal for preser vatiOn
Is there not something peculiarly terrible In such
fate for a man who has once controlled almost the
destiny Of great State like Califoruia!
Two OF the Ainsas (brothcrs-in-laW Of Crabh1 are
said 20 be killed, and also Rasey Biven. Nv in
formant, intelligent man aud ye-witness of these
horrors, says Crabb died As a gentleman should, as
calmly and quietly as il be were going to pleas
ant home.
-Four men, sick had been left at Sonora bv
Crabb. they occupied the house owned by r f.
Dunbar, Esq., on the Americ IN side of toe line
On she 18Th OF April, at night party Of twenty
FIVE MeIicans came up from San Juan went 20
Duubar's house, took these poor sick men out OF
bed tied them, and az dawn ofday carried them TO
the foot Of the HILL shot them like dogs, on Amer.
can soil, aud left them 30 rot A party Of Papago
Indians, more mercul, buried them, aud four soi.
tary mounds now sppeal, loae Witnesses OF BEST.
" crime 10 the american Government for revenge.
Will such an appeal 90 unheardl
Mr.. Dunbar just escaped massacre, having len
Sonoita the afternoon previous. The heIicans
we're furious At his escape, although he had nothing
to do with the party except 70 ofer shelter, 90
American SOIL 90 four SICK msn, 10 bis own house
party OF about tsiFty recruits, under Captain
Grant 0rrey. started from Tucson 20 join Crabb Al
Cavorca. When within fifteen miles Of the lstteI
place they were attacked BY shout tso handr, q
Mexicans. Capt 0rey FetFeated, fighting, aud re-
gained the American line with loss OF ouly -four
killed. The Mexican 10 wss about forty. Capt
Orrey deserves great credit Tor bis skill. Al every
watering place the Me1icans attempted 70 CHECK
him ano subdue him BY Oh rsr, but be routed Ikea
on every occasion. Tue last eight nd ives
continued vonning eight, and bis fourth man lost
wss killed justat The liae Another party Of the
same strength, which leit Tubae, has DOT yet been
heard Of
The influence Of this affair upon Americans L
wy bad Oar prestige is entirely destroyed; tbs
N means are loud 10 their boasts our dreaded To-
Vi iebilily IL gone aud nothing but great viclory
vii restore h EV'H the Indians nOE cay We are
OF account and thy vii XII small parties when
they meet them. Heretofore. Americans have had
mash greater security than any other peOple."