The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1857-06-16
THE SONORA FIILIBUsTER EXPEDITION. Exc


tive of the destruction of the fbuster party H. A.
Crabbe by the Mexcans at Sonora from which select
the following
In last issue we published rumor of the entire
destruction of Henry A. Cabbes party numbering about
100 men, by the Mexcans in Sonora. The following
statement OF the facts is kindly furnished by gentleman
Just arrived from Fort Yuma
Late in March Cabbe's party left Sonota Sonora and
marched TO Cavorea, small Mexican town near Point
Lubos the Gulf of California The first intention
to have proceeded to Altar but of its partial forf
cation and susceptibility of strong defence caused the
diversion Cayorca On the morning of the first Of
April the party of Americans entered the suburbs of the
town. They met by body of Mexican troops
manded by Rodriguez 1t Is said that Rodriguez adj
vanced to speak TO Crabbe, when the Americans opened
fire and killed the commander and several Others. The
Mexcans Immediately retreated, to the mountains
but the majority to the church. which had been placed In
state of defence, and had at the time Crabbe entered
the town. number of beeves roasting whole in front of
t. to feed the Mexican troops.
1t appears that here occurred Crabbes first and fatal
mistake Instead of at once charging and taking the
church. which would have given him the town. he occupied
several houses the of the Plaza in front of the
church The Mexcans at first deserted the most of the
town, but finally, being embodened returned and grad
ualy hemned the Americans in The fighting continued
eight days, with loss to the Americans of twenty-five
killed The Mexican loss is reported by themselves to
have been twenty-five but is supposed to have been much
greater-as high two hundred On the eighth day
attempt made by two of Crabbes to blow up the
church. by placing keg of powder under the porco and
firing it, The devoted men who attempted this both
killed. and Cabbeis said to have been wounded in supern
tending it.
1t is said an offer was made by Crabbe to retire if the
Mexieans would allow it, He had refused to retire when
the offer made him, after the fighting had continued
two days and the Mexioans confident of his weak
ness and their triumph, refused The Americans
gradually but surely caught in snare from which they
escape BY breaking through the walls of the ad
joining houses the Mexicans forced Crabbe and his
into the corner buildings which they repeatedly set on
fire, but which the Americans often extinguished AT
last Papago Indian shot into the roof Of the main build
ing occupied by the unhappy busters lighted arrow.
The flames caught the root, and in few moments the
fire dropping in great flakes upon the heads of the
doomed men within
Worn out with constant fighting exhausted with anxi-
ety. ished by probable days of starvation and thirst
and without ammunition, Henry A. Crabbe and fifty
eight marched out of the burning house with white
flag before Them laid down their arms and surrendered
it supposed, Internationally This in the night
towards morning They Immediately tied, their
hands behind them, taken to corral the acaldes
Office where they kept until morning, when they
taken out in squads of five and ten EACH and shot
In the first executions ii found that the calmness of
the Americans discomposed the executoners and they
shot too high or too low in many only wounding
their victims. The backs of the fated then
turned to the troops and then they succeeded in aiming
with better effect.
McCon owing to his great stature, was saved this
torture ball struck him full in the breast at the first
fire. and he fell dead Crabbe alone reserved for
solitary death He taken to the acalde's office ,
o.ssti0ned allowed to write letter to his wife, and
have an aryew with DR. Evans prisoner in the hands
of the Mexicans who had been in confinement some
weeks suspicion The hour Tor his execution having
arrived, he was led out, his hands strc,Sa ABOVE ms
head and tied to post in front of the building he ~
occupied his face to the post and his back to his
TONERS. AT the command fire. at least hundred balls
fixed into his body and all that mortal of Henry
A. Cmbbe hung dead, swinging by his tied hands. A
Mexican stepped forward and with large knife severed
his head from the body-the warm blood spirting half
way the street. The head placed table
in front in the office of the Jues exposed to the eers
of the populace. 1t then placed in jar of mesca
for preservation.
Two of the Ansas brothers law of Crabbe) are said
to be killed, and also Rasey Bven. My informant
intelligent man, and eyewitness of these horrors,
Crabbe died calmly and quietly he going
to pleasant home.
party of about 30 recruits under Captain Grant ORGY
started from Tucson to join Crabbe at Cavorca When
within fifteen miles of the latter place they were attacked
by about 200 Mexicans Capt ORGY retreated fighting,
and reganed the American line with loss of only four
killed The Mexican loss was about 40 Captain ORGY
deserves great credit for his skill At every watering
place the Mexcans attempted to check him and subdus
him by thirst, but he routed them every occasion
The last eight mles.was continued running fight and
his fourth lost killed just at the line Another
party of the strength, which left Tubac has not
yet been heard Of It is believed if Grant ORGY had been
with Crabbe different result might have been anticpa
ted All was bad management want of experience and
clear rushing upon deadly fate.
Crabbe entered Cavorca with "a men, All these were
killed except the youngest said to have been spared by
the Mexican commander, Garcia The name of the sur
vvor is unknown but he is said to be boy of sixteen
seventeen
The Mexicans at Cavorca were about five hundred
strong.
Major Bob Wood and Major Tozer safe. They were
with Captain orey's narty. Colonel N. r. Wood, late
Fillmore elector, is among the dead
A letter from E. Il. Dunbar dat1ed Rio Colorado May
l. published in the Alta California states at he had re-
ceived report that four invalid Americans whom ne had
removed TO his house Sonot had been taken there
from and shot Their names Long, Parker Harri-
son, and Yanny.
The San Francisco Herald says:
No prominent citizen, at least in political matters,
was held in greater esteem influential with
his party than Henry A. Crabbe He represented San
Joaquin county in the assembly during the year 1852,
and the senatorial district composed of San joaquin and
Contra Costa during the years 1858 and 1854 During
this service his bold able and fearless against all
schemes of corruption for him the admiration and
esteem of all good men Mr. Crabbe leaves widow and
two children residing in this city OF others, members
of the party that left here, Colonel William H.
McCoun, who succeeded Mr. Crabbe in the State senate
for the years 1855 and 1856 Col R. N. Wood who rep
resented San Francisco county In the session of 1882 and
afterwards county Judge of Contra Costa county
Colonel Wood also leaves widow residing in this city
DIR. J. IT, Oxley, who represented Tuoumne county in
the assembly for the sessions of 1855 and 1856 George
H. Rhodes member of the assembly from Marposa coun-
ty for the year 1856 John c. Henry who represented
the county In tho assembly for the session Of
1854 also Judge Shaefier, formerly county Judge of
Sierra county; also Mr.. f. b. Wilder, the publisher
and editor of American campaign paper publish
ed in this city during the last presidential contest
These gentlemen among those known to us