San Andreas independent., 1857-05-16
FROM SONORAi
STARTLING INTELLIGEyCE


Their Surrender Manner Of their eyreutiop
The Death OF Crabb-Murder of Sick Men
on American Soil-SucceSsful Retreat Of q
Reinforcing Party-Full Particulars, Sc.
We copy the following telegraphic news from
the Sacramento Union, of Thursday morning
SAN Francisco, May l3.
Inc steamer Ssndtor arrived this evening from
San Diego and intermediate ports. The San
Diego Herald of 9th May publishes the follow
ing narrative of the destruction of Crabb's par
t. in Sonora, furnished by gentleman just ar
rived from Fort Yuma
Late in March Crabb's party left Sonora and
marched to Cavorea, a small Mexican town near
Point Lobos, on the Gulf of California. The
hrst intention was to have proceeded to Altar,
but news of its partial fortifcation and suscep:-
lbility of a strong defense, caused the diversion
on Cavorea. On the morning of the lst CT
April the party of Americans entered the SUBJ
urbs of the town. They here met party OF
Mexican troops commanded by Rodriguez. 1t
is 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 state of defense, and
had at the time Crabb entered town, number
of beeyes roasting whole in front of it to feed
the Mexican troops. 1t appears that here oc-
Cured Crabb's first and fatal mistake. Instead
of at once charging and taking the church,
which would have given him tie town. he oc-
cupicd several houses on the corner of the
plaza, in front Of the church. The Mcxicans
first deserted the most of the town, but gradu-
ally being embodened, returned and hemmed
the Americans ir:. The fighting continued
eight days with a loss to the Americans OF
twenty-five killed. The Mexican loss is re-
ported by themselves to have bceen twenty five,
bat is supposed to have been much greater-as
high as two hundred.
On the eli hth day gu attempt was made by
two of Crabbs men, to blow up the church, by
placing keg of powder Under the portico and
firing it. The devoted men who attempted 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 fight
ing two days, and now the Mexicans, confident
Of his weakness and their triumph, refused
The Americans were gradually but surely caught
in snare, from which they saw no escape.
By breaking through the walls of the ad-
joining houses, the Mexicans forced Crabb and
his party into the corner building, which they
repeatedly set on fire, but which the Americans
often extinguished Atlast, Popago Indi-
shot into the roof of the main building, oc-
cupied by the unhappy filbusters, lighted ar
row. The flames caught the roof, and in few
moments the fire dropping in great flakes
upon the heads Of the doomed men within.
x.-;4I E,,1,+ xhuu ad
with anxiety, famished probably by days of star
vation and thirst, and without ammunition,
Henry A. Crabb and ffty-eight men marched
out of the burning house, with white flag be-
fore them, laid down their arms, and surren-
dered,-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 Al
calde's office, where they were kept until morn
ing, 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 discomposed the ex-
ecutioners, 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. McCoun-may he rest in
peace-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. lie was taken to the Alcades office.
questioned, allowed to write letter to his wife,
and to have an interview with DR.. Evans, a
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 hand stretched above his head,
and taken to post in front Of the building he
had occupied, his face to the post and his back
to the exccutioners. At the command " fire, /"
1t least one hundred balls were fired into his
body, and all that was mortal of Henry A.
Jrabb hung dead swinging by his tied hands.
4 Mexican stepped forward, and, with o long
knife, severed his head from the body-the
Farm blood spirting half way across the street.
The head was placed on a table in front and in
he office of the Judge, exposed to the jeerS OF
he populace. 1t was then placed i'll a jar of
nuscal for preservation. Two of the Ameri-
cans, brothers-in-law of Crabb, are said to be
1illed, and also Rasey Biven.
Ny informant, an intelligent man and an eye
witness to these horrors, says Crabb died as a
gentleman should, as calmly and quietly as ifhe
we're going to pleasant home.
-Four men who were sick, had been left at
Sonorita, by Crabb. They occupied the house
owned Dy H. H. DUNBAR, Esq, on tue American
ide of the line. On the 18th Of April, at night
party of twenty-five Mexcans came up from
San Juan, went TO Dunbar's house, took the
DOOR, sick men cut of bed, tied them, and at the
lawn of day, carried them to the foot of the hill
md shot them like dogs, on the American soil,
leaving them to rot. \ party of Popago lndi-
ms, more merciful, buried them, and four soli-
AIRY mounds now appeal lone witnesses of
oeastly crime, to the American Government for
revenge. Will such an appeal go nnheard p
Mr.. Dunbar just escaped masSacrc-havng left
sonorita on the afternoon previous. The Mex
leans were furious at his escape, although he
had nothing to do with the party, except to Of
Ter shelter on American soil, to four sick men,
in his own house
party of about thirty recruits, under Capt.
Grant Grey, started from Tucson to join Crabb
q. oavorea. When within fifteen miles of that
pace, they were attacked by about two hundred
M g.