Mariposa Democrat., 1857-05-20
EIGHT Dars, FTGHTI.s'G.
OF oRABB AND HIS MEN.
MASSACRE OF THE WHOLE PARTY

Inc loHoWing paTuCulaiS WeIc plouBht uoWH
from Fort Yuma to San Diego, and confirms
report previously published. The sad ter
mination of the expedition, has cast gloom
over the whole State. We publish the full de-
tails:
The expedition into Sonora, under the command Of
II. 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 Me
Gulf of California. The first intention was TO have
proceeded to Altar but news of It's partial fortif-
cation and susceptibility Of strong defence caused the
diversion on Cavorca On the morning of the first of
April the party of Americans entered the suburbs of
the town. They were met by a body Of Mexican
troops commanded by Rodriguez. It's said Rodriguez
advanced to speak to Crabb, when the Americans
opened fire and killed the Mexican commander and
several others. The Mexicans Immediately retreated
some to the mountains but the majority to the
church, which had been placed in a state Of Defence
and had at the time Crabb entered the town a number
of beeves roasting whole in front of it to feed the Mex
lean troops.
Il appears that here occurred Cnbbs first and fatal
mistake. Instead of at charging and taking the
church, which would have given him the town, he oc
cupied several houses on the corner Of the Plaza in
front Of the church.
The Mexicans at first deserted most Of the town. but
gradually being embodened returned and 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
hgher-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
portco and firing it. The devoted men who attempted
this were both killed. and Cabb is said to have been
wounded in experimenting IT, II il said an offer was
made by Crabb TO retire If the Mexcans would allow IT,
He had refused to retire when the offer was made him
after the fighting had continued two days, and now
the Mexcans confident Of his weakness and their tr
umph, refused. The Americans were gradually but
surely caught in snare, from which they saw no es-
cape.
BY breaking through the walls of the adjoining
houses the Mexcans forced Crabb and his men into
the buildings, which they repeatedly set on
fire, but which the Americans often extingulshed.
At last Papago Indian shot into the roof of the main
building occupied by the unhappy llbusters, light
ed arrow. The flames caught the roof and in few
moments the fire dropping in great fakes upon
the heads of the doomed men, Worn out with constant
fighting, exhausted with anxiety, famislled by proba
bly, days of starvation and thirst, and without ammu
nton, Henry A. Crbb and lifty-eght men marched
out of the burning house, with a white flag before
them, hid down their arms and surrendered 1t IL
supposed Internationally. This was in the night or
towards the morning. 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 were taken out in squads of five and ten
!
that the calmness of the Americans discomposed the
executioneE, and they shot too high or too low, in
many cases only wounding their victims. The backs
of the fated men then turned to the troops and
they succeeded in aiming with better effect
,, McCoun (may he rct in peace) owing to his great
stature, saved this torture, ball struck him full
in the breast the first dre and he fell dead. Crabb
alone reserved for solitary DEATH lie was taken
to the Acade's Office, questioned, allowed to write
letter to his wife, and TO have interview with Dr.
Evans prisoner in the hands Of the Mexlcans, 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 in front of the building he had occupied his face
10 e post and his back to the executioners. At the
command +" fire." at least hundred balls were fired
into his body, and all that was mortal Of Henry A.
Crabb hung dead, swinging by his hands. Mexican
stepped forward and with large knife severed his
head from his body-the warm blood spirtlng half
way across the street. The head was placed table
in 'front.' or in the Office of the Juez exposed to the
jeers OF the populaee. |; then placed in jar of
mescal for preservation. Is there not something pecu
liarly terrible in such a fate for man who has
controlled almost the destiny Of great State like Call
forna2
Two of the Ainsa's, (brothersin-law Of Crabb) are
said to be killed, and also Rasey Byen My informant
an intelligent man and eyewitness of these horrors,
says Crabb died as gentleman should as calmly and
quietly as if he were going to pleasant home
-Four men, sick had been left at Sonoita by Crabb
They occupied the house owned by +. T.. Dunbar, Esq
on The american side Of The line. On the 18th of
April, at night party of 25 Mexcans came up from
San Juan, and went to Dnnbars house, took these
poor sick ont of bed, tied them, and at dawn of
day carried them to the foot of the hill shot them like
dogs, on American soil and left them to rot party
of Papago Indians, more mercful, buried them, and
four solitary mounds now appeal lone witnesses of
beastly crime to the American Government for re-
venge. viii such an appeal go unhearda
Mr.. Dunbar just escaped massacre, having left So
noita on the afternoon previous. The Mexicans
furious at his escape although he had nothing to do
with the party except to offer shelter, on American
soil to four sick men, in his own house.
party of about 80 recruits under Captain Grant
Orrey, started from Tucson to join Crabb at Cavorca
When within fifteen miles of the latter place they were
attacked by about 200 Mexicans. Capt Oney retreat
ed, fighting, and regained the American line with
loss of only four killed. The Mexican loss about
40. Capt 0rey deserves great credit for his skll.--
At every watering place the Mexicans attempted TO
check him and subdue him by Thirst but he routed
them on every occasion The last eight miles was
continued running fight, and his fourth man lost was
killed just at the line Another party of the same
strength which left Tubac has not yet been heard Of
1t is believed that if Capt oey had been with Crabb,
different result might have been anticipated. All
was bad management, want Of experience, and clear
rushing upon deadly fate. Crlbb entered Cavorca
with 81 men. All these killed except the young
est said to have been spared by the Mexican com
mander, Garcia The name of the survivor is unknown,
but he is said to be boy of sixteen or seventeen
! The Mexicans at Cavorca were about 500 strong
Major Bob Wood and Major Tozer are safe. They
were with Capt Oneys party. Col. r. N. Wood,