The weekly Columbian., 1857-05-16
We take the following from the S.. F.

VIC tdhC lIlC 1OliOVluS lIOiil IiO kOs~I
Herald:
A gentlemen who arrived at San Die
furnishes the Herald of that place with
the following particulars Of the sad fate
of the Crabb expedition. 1t will be seen
that the main features OF the account of
the movements of the expeditionists i'll
Sonora, furnished by our correspondent
at Fort Yuma, have been confirmed:
The expedition into Sonora, under the
command of H. A. Crabb, has had most
disastrous end. Late in March, Crabb's
party left Sonoita, and marched to Ca
vorca, small Mexican town near Point
Lobos, on the Gulf of California. The
first intention was to have proceeded to
Altar, but news Gifts partial fortificaton
and susceptibility of strong defence
caused the diversion on Cavorca. On
the morning of the 1st of April, the par
ty of Americans entered the suburbs of
the town. They were met by a body of
Mexican troops commanded by Rodri
guez. tits said Rodriguez advanced to
speak to Crabb, when the Americans
opened fire and killed the Mexican COM
mander and several others. The MeXi-
cans Immediately retreated-some to the
mountains, but the ma aority to the church.
which had been placed III state of de-
fence, and had at the time Crabb entered
the town a number OF beeves roasting
whole in front of it to feed the Mexican
troops.
1t appears that here occurred Crabb's
first and fatal mistake. Instead of at
once charging and taking the church,
which would have given him the town,
he occupied several houses on the corner
uf the Plaza, in front of the church.
The Mexicans at first deserted most of
the town, but gradually being embolden-
cd, returned aud gradually hemmed the
Americans in 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 as two hundred
On the eighth day all atternps was made
by two of Crabb's men to blow up the
church, by placing keg fpowder under
the p1rtico and firing it. The devoted
men who attempted this were both kill
ed. aud Crabb is said to have been wound
ed in experimenting it. 1t is said an of
fer was made by Crabb to retire if the
Mexicans would allow it. He had re-
fused to retire when the offer was made
him. after the fighting had continued two
days, and now the Mexicans, conf lent of
his weakness and their triumph, refused.
The Americans were gradually but surely
caught in a snare, from which they saw
no escape.
By breaking through the wall of the
adjoining houses the Mexicans forced
Crabb and his men into the corner build
ings, which they repeatedly set on fire,
but which the Americans as often extin-
guished AT last a Papago Indian shot
into the roof of the main building occu-
pied by the unhappy fllibusters, lighted
in few moments the fire was dropping
in great flakes upon the heads ofthc DOOM
ed men within Worn out with constant
fighting, exhausted with anxiety, famish
ed by probably days of starvation and
thirst, and without ammunition, Henry
A. Crabb and fifty-eight men marched
out of the burning thouse. with a white
flag before them, laid down their arms
and surrendered. 1t is supposed uncon-
ditionally. This was in the night or to-
wards morning. They were Immediate
lg tied, their hands behind them. taken to
q corral near the Alcalde's office, where
they were kept until morning, when they
were taken out in squads OF 5 and 10
each and shot, In the first executions it
was found that the calmness OF the Amer
leans discomposed the eXecutioners and
they shot too high or too low, in many
cases only wounding their victims. The
backs of the fated men were then turned
to the troops, and they succeeded in aim
ing with better effect.
McCoun, (may he rest in peace.) ow-
ing to his great stature, was saved this
lture, a Ball struck him full in the breast
at the first fire and he fell dead. Crabb
alone was reserved for solitary death.
He was taken to the Alcalde's office, ques-
toned, allowed to write letter to his
wife, and to have an interview with
DR.. Evans, prisoner in the hands of the
Mexicans, who had been In confinement
some weeks on suspicion. The hour for
his execution having arrived, he was led
out, his hands stretched above his head
and tied to post III front of the building
he had occupied, his face to the post, and
his back to his executioners. At the