Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1857-06-27
The Sonora Filibuster Exnedition,

'Ht AiiDusteT parry VI II. IL. NTdUDe ny tUe
Mexicans at Sonora, from which we select
the following:
In our last issue We published runner of
the entire destruction of Henry A. Crabbes
party, numbering about 100 tneh. by the
Mexcans in Sonora. The following state
ment of the facts is kindly furnished by
gentcmaii just arrived from Fort Yuma:
Late in March Cfabbe's party left Sonoi-
ia, Sonora, and marched to Cavera. small
Mexican town near Point Lubos. on the
Gulf of California The FIRST intention was
to have proceeded to Alta, but news of its
partial fertilization and susceptibility Of a
strong defense caused the diversion on Cos
vora. 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.
1t is said that Rodriguez advanced to speak
to Crabbe, when the Americans opened fire
aud killed the commander and several 9TH
ers. The Mexicans. Immediately rctreated
some to the mountains, but the majority
to the church, which had been placed in
state of defense, and had, at the time
Crabbo entered The town, II number %
becves roasing whole i'll front OF it, to feed
the Mexican troops.
/; appears that here occurred Crobbe's
first and fatal mistake. Instead Of at once
charging and taking the church, which
xouli have given him the town, he oeeupl
ed several houses on the corner of the pla-
"a. in front of the church TIE Mexicans
1T first deserted the most of the town bur
finally being cnlellened returned and
gradually hemmed the Americans in. The
lighting continued eight days, with a loss
10 the Americans Of twenty five killed =
The Mexican loss is reported by themselves
70 have been twenty-five, but is supposed
to have been much greater, as high as two
hundred. On the eighth day TN attempt
vas made by two Of Cradles men to blow
ID the church, by placing key Of powder
nder the pustieo and fang It. The devo-
ed lacn who attempted il were lo;h killei,
nd Crabbe is said to have been wounded in
experimenting II.
1t is said an offer was made hy crabbe TO
tire if the Mexieans wul.ld allow it. he
ad refused to retire when The offer was
ade him. after the fighting had continaed
va days, aud now The Mexcnns. conf lieut.
f his weakness and their triumph, refused,
The Americans were gradually but surely
aught in a snare. from which they saw ne
scape. BY breaking through the walls of
nc adjoining houses. the Mexicans forced
'rabbe and his men into the corner build
ngS, which they repeatedly set on ire. but
which the Americans us otten extinguished.
At last Il Papago Indian shot into the roof
II the main Ia iiiug occupied by Ire rhhap-
py tlbustcrs GIFTED arluw. The flames
caught the roof and in a faw moments the
fire was tlrorpirg il. great inkes upon the
heads Of the doomed men within.
Worn out with constant fl .ziting. cShaus-
ted with anxiety. furnished by probable days
Of starvation and thirst, and without annu-
milton, Henry A. Cfabbe and ftty-eieht
men marched out of the burning house
with white flag bef,re ihem laid down
their arms aud surrendered, it is supposed,
Internationally. This was in the night, ur
toward morning. They were Immediately
tied. their hands bchiud them, taken to Il.
corral, near the alealde's efice where thcy
were kept until morning, VIXEN they were
taken out in squads # } and 10 each, and
shot. In the FIRST executions it was found
'"'' me ea'hihess "i 'ne A"'I,c'us 1'Feo'"-
p.'Seo Tue eA'co''"ne'S, anu 'ney Sn", ''"
h'sa OF 10 low III MAJ e"ses oni} "'ah",
men were then turned to the troorS, and
taeh 'uey succeeded III al'''hs WIN 3ssseF
effect,
McCoun. owing 10 his great stature, Was
saved THIS torture. a pau S'fueH NM W. ~
the hyeast al 'Ae INST ire ana ne 'eii a =,
.rahbe ai'he was feSefSen Tor Il soltafy
death. lie was taEe': 20 ff.s 1se4fdH once.
questioned allowed 10 write ie''ef 10 ms
vie ana to nave an interview WIN Or hs-
ans a prisoner ia tue hands OF 'ae heAieaPs'
who had been ~ coahnehtht some weeks
N suspicion ! he noun ter h's sHc,oaoi'
'avlltg aFF'ed' he was led eu', his hah"S
stretches shore his head end t'ed 10 pos'
in front OF the hu'ldn? ne had occupied his
ace 10 the post and has back To- his eXecu-
i'onefS' At the conlnah'' hfe at least
sundred balls were hred INTO his body aud
Il that was mortal ct Henry A. Cf@ooe
nng dead, swinging by his tied hands. a
'iexiean stepped forward and, win a knlte'
a'eted Ills head iroth the body warm
food spirilng hall way across the street
he heai was placed on a table NJ iront, or
the office ~ the .iGlS, exposed IN the leefs