The Placer herald., 1857-05-16
From the Sacramento Union.
Startling Intelligence from Sonora.
Massacre of II. A. CraW and his Party at
Cavorea.
SAN Francisco, MAY I3-9p M.

SAN FRANCISCO, May l3-9 M.
The steamer Senator arrived this evening
from San Diego and intermediate ports.-
The San Diego Herald of the 10th May,
publishes the following narrative of the de
struction of Crabb's party in Sonora, furnish
ed by gentleman just arrived from Fort
Yuma
Late in March Crabbs party left Sonora
and marched to Cavorea, small Mexican
town near Point Lobos, on the Gulf of Cali
folnia The first intention was to have pro-
ceeded to Altar, but news of its partial for
titication and susceptibility of strong de-
fense, caused the diversion on Cavorea. On
the morning Of the lst of April, the party of
Americans entered the suburbs of the town.
They here met party of Mexican troops
commanded by Rodriguez. 1t is said Rod
riguez 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 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 Mexican troops. 1t appears
that here occurred Crabb's frst and fatal
mistake. Instead of at once charging and
taking the church, which would have given
him the town, he occupied several houses in
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 hemmed the Americans in.-
The fighting continued eight days, with
fn A of Hvo Ill toI
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, an attempt was made
by two of Crabb's men, to blow up the church
by placing keg of powder under the portico
and firing it. The devoted men who at
tempted this were both killed, and Crabb is
said to have been wounded in experimenting
it. 1t is said an offer was made by Crabb to
retire, if the Mexicans would allow it. He
had refused to retire when the offer was
made him after the fighting had continued
two days, and now the Mexicans, confident
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 walls of the ad-
joining houses, the Mexicans forced Crabb
and his men into the corner building, which
they repeatedly set on fire, but which
the Americans as often extingushed. AT
last, a Popago Indian shot into the roof of
the main building, occupied by the unhappy
tilibusters, a lighted arrow. The flames
caught the roof and in few moments the
fire was dropping in great flakes upon the
heads of the doomed men within.
Worn out with constant fighting exhaust
ed with anxiety, famshed by probably days
Of starvation and thirst, and without ammu-
milton, Henry A. Crabb and tifty-eight men
marched out of the burning house, with a
white flag before them, laid down their arms,
and surrendered-it is supposed uncondi
tionaly. This was in the night or towards
morning.
They were Immediately ted, their hands
behind them, and taken to corral near the
Alcaldes office, where they were kept until
morning, when they were taken out in squads
Of five and ten each and shot
In the first execution, it was found that
the calmness of the Americans disconposed
the executoners, 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 then they
succeeded in aiming with better effect. Nc
Coun-may he rest in peacc-owing to his
great stature was saved this torture. 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 Alcade's office,
questioned, allowed to write letter to his
wife, and to have an interview with Dr.
Evans, prisoner in the hands of the Mexi-
cans, who had been in confinement some
weeks on suspicion. The hour for his execu-
ton having arrived, he was led out, his
hands stretched above his head, and taken to
a post in front Of the building he had occu-
pied, his face to the post and his back to the
executioners. At the command "fire," at
least one hundred balls were fired into his
body, and all that was mortal of Henry A.
Crabb hung dead, swinging by his tied hands
Mexican stepped forward, and, with long
knife, severed his head from the body--the
warm blood spirting half way across the
street. The head was placed on table in
front, and in the office of the Judge, exposed
to the jeers Of the populace. 1t was then
placed in a jar of muscal for preservation
Two of the Americans, brothers in~law of
Crabb, are said to be killed, and also Rasey
Biven.
My informant, an intelligent man and an
eyewitness of these horrors, says Crabb died
as a gentleman should, as calmly and quietly
as if he were going to pleasant home.
-Four men who were sick, had been left at
Sonorita, by Crabb. They occupied the
house owned by E. E. Dunbar, Esq, on the
American side of the line. On the 18th of
April, at night, a party of twenty-five Mexi-
cans came up from San Juan, went to Dun
bars house, took the poor sick men out of
bed, tied them, and at dawn Of dav. carried