Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-06-19
Massacre of Col. Crabb's Party.

Massacre of Col. Crabbs Party.
The most interesting feature of the
news from California is the account of the
capture and execution of Col. Crabb's
fillibuster party in Sonora. The San
Diego Herald of May 9th gives the fol-
lowing history of the expedition:
Late in March Crabb's party left So
norita, Sonora, and marched to Cavorea,
Il small Mexican town near Point Lobos,
and on the Gulf of California. The first
intention was 10 have proceeded to Altar.
but news of its partial fertilization and
susceptibility of strong defense caused
the diversion on Cavorea. On the morn
ing of the first of April, the party of
Americans entered the suburbs of the
town. They were met by body of
Mexican troops, commanded by Rod
Tiquez.
II is said Rodriguez advanced to speak
to Crabb, when the Americans opened
fire, and killed the Mexican commander
and several others. The Mexicans inn
mediately retreated-some to the noun
tains, but the majority to the church,
which had been placed in a state of de-
Tense, and had at the time Crabb enter
ed the town a number of beeves, roast
ing 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
Of the Plaza, in front of the church.
The Mexicans at first deserted the
most of the town, but gradually being
emboldened, returned and gradually hem
med the Americans in. Fighting con-
tinued eight days, with loss to the A
mericans of twenty-five killed.
The Mexican loss is reported by them
selves to have been twenty-five, but is
supposed to have been much greater, as
high as two hundred. On the eighth
day, an attempt was made by two Of
Crabb's men to blow up the church, by
placing keg of powder under the por-
tico and firing it. The devoted men who
attempted this were both killed, ant
Crabb is said to have been wounded il
experimenting it. 1t is said an offei
was made by Crabb to retire, If the Mex
leans would allow it. He had refused
10 retire when the offer was made him
after the fighting had continued two days
and now the Mexicans, confident of hi
weakness and their triumph, refused
The Americans were gradually bu
surely caught in snare, from whicl
they saw no escape.
BY breaking through the walls Of ad
joining houses, the Mexicans, force,
Crabb and his men into the corner build
ing, which they repeatedly set on fire
but which the Americans as often ex
tinguished. At last Fapago India
shot into the roof Of the main buildin!
occupied by the unhappy fllibusters,
lighted arrow. The flames caught tn
ROOF, and in few moments the fire wa
dropping in great flakes upon the head
Of the doomed men within. Worn OIL
with constant fighting, exhausted wit
anxiety, furnished by probable days
starvation and thirst, and without an
munition, Henry A. Crabb and fit,
eight men marched out OF the burnir
house, with white flag before them, la
down their arms and surrendered. 1t
supposed Internationally.
This was in the night or towards NOR
ing. They were Immediately tied, the
hands behind them, taken to a corr
near the Alcalde's office, where TIL
were kept until morning, when they we
taken out in squads of FIVE and ten eaC
and shot. In the first executions it W
found that the calmness of the America
discomposed the executioners, and tn,
shot too high or too low, in many cas-
only wounding their victims. The bac
of the fated men we're then turned to 4
troops, and they then succeeded in all
ing with better effect
McCoun, owing TO his great statu
was saved this torture, ball struck h
full in the breast at the first fire and
fell dead. Crabb alone was resery
for solitary death. He was taken
the Alcalde's Office, questioned, allow