The Nevada journal., 1857-05-15
By Telegraph to The Nevada Journal. |
ARRIVAL OF THE
STEAMER SENATOR.
From San Diego.

Party, at Cacara-Dreadtal encoun-
ter Of eight days!
Manner oftAeir Erecution-TH Death
Of Crab6-Murder Of Sick Men on
American Soil-Succesga1 Retreat
Re-intorcing Party.
SAN FRANcIsco. May 18th, PM.
The Steamer Senator arrived this
evening from San Diego and intermedi-
ate points. The San Diea Herald of
18th April publishes the following mar
ration of the destruction of Crabt's par
ty in Sonora, furnished by gentleman
just arrived from Fort Yuma:
Late in March Crabb's party left So
nora and marched to Cavara, a small
Mexican town near Point Lobos on the
Gulf of California. The first intention
was to have proceeded to Altar. But
news Of It's partial fortifcation and sus-
ceptability of a strong defence caused
the diversion on Cavara. On the morning
of the 1st of April, the party of Ameri-
cans entered the suburbs of the town.
Trey were met by party of Mexican
troops commanded by Roderiguez. 1t
is said Roderiguez's purpose was to
speak to Crabb when the Americans
opened fire and killed the Mexican Com
mander and several others. The Mex
leans 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 in front of it, to
feed the Mexican troops. 1t appears
that here occurred Crabbs first and fatal
mistake-instead at once charging and
taking the church which would have
given him the town, he occupied seve-
raj 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 loss to the Americans of 25 killed.
The Mexican loss is reported by them
selves to have been 25, but it is suppo
sed to have been much greater-as high
as 200.
On the Sth day an attempt was made
by two of Crabb's men to blow up the
church by placing a keg of powder un-
der the portieo and firing it. The de-
voted men who attempted this were
both killed, and Crabb is said to have
been wour ded in experimenting it. 1t
is said an offer was made by Crabb to
retire if the Mexicans would allow t.
He had refused to retire when the offer
was made hin after the fighting had
continued two days, and now the Mexi-
cans confident of is weakness and their
triumph, refused.
The Americans were gradually but
surely caught in snare from which
they saw no escape. By breaking thro'
the walls of the adjoining houses the
Mexicans forced Crabb and his men into
the corner building which they repeat
edly set on fire. but which the Ameri-
cans as often extinguished At last a
Papago Indian put in the roof Of the
main building occupied by the unhappy
Filibusters a lighted arrow, the flames
caught in the roof, and in few moments
the fire was descending in great flakes
upon the heads of the doomed mon
within.
Worn out with constant fighting, expo
sure and anxiety, famished by probably
days of starvation and thirst, and with
out ammunition, H. A. Crabb an fifty
eight men marched out of the burning
house with white flag before them, laid
down their arms and surrendered, it is
supposed, Internationally. This was in
the night or towards morning They
were Immediately tied, their hands be-
hind them, and taken to corral near
the Alcalde's office, where 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 Ameri-
cans discomposed the executioneors and
they shot too high or too low in many
cases, only wonnding their victims, the
backs of the fated men were then turn
ed to the troops and then they succeed
ed in aiming with better effect.
McCoun, (may he rest in peace,) ow-
ing to his great stature, was saved this
torture; ball struck him full in the
breast at the first fire and he fell dead.
Crabb alone was reserved for a soli-
tary death. He was taken to the AL