Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1857-06-25
Fate OF the CraSh Expedition.

FOiL PARTICULARS OF THE DEFEAT AND Exc
CUTIoS OF HENRY \. cRABB AND NINETY or
HIS PARTY At cAyoRcA, SONORA.
From the San Deigo Herald, May 81
In our last issue we published rumol
of the entire destruction of Henry A
Crabb's party, numbering about 100 men,
by the Mexicans in Sonora. By the fol-
lowing statement of the facts, kindly furn-
ished us by gentleman just arrived from
Fort Yuma, it will be seen that the report
has been confirmed. He says.
The expedition into Sonora. under the
command Of Ii. y. Crabb, has had most
disastrous end.
Late in March Crabb's party left Sonota,
Sonora, and marched to Covoroa, a small
Mexican town near Point Lobos, on the
Gulf q California. The first intention was
to hive proceeded to Altar, but news OF its
partial fertilization and susceptibility of a
strong defence caused the diversion on Ca
'voroa. On the morning of the LIST of April
the party of Americans entered the sub
urbs of the town. They were met by a
body of the Mexican troops. commanded
by Rodriguez. 1t is said Rodriguez adj
vanced to speak to Crabb, when the Amer
leans opened fire and killed the Mexican
commander and several others. The Mex
leans Immediately retreatel-some to the
mountains, but the majority to the church,
which mad been placed in a state of de-
fence, 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 Crabs
first and fatal mistake. Instead of at once
charging and taking the church, which
would have given him the town, he occn-
pied several houses on the plaza, in front
of the church.
The Mexicans at first deserted the most
of the town, but gradually being emboldcn-
ened returned, and gradually hemmed the
Americans in. Fighting continued eight
days, with loss to the Americans of TWEEN
ty -one killed. The Mexican loss is report
ed 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 mer
who attempted this were both killed, and
Crabb is said to have been wounded in SUI
perintending 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 fight
ing hadcontinued two days, aud now thu
Mexicans, confident Of his weakness ant
their triumph, refused. The Americans
were gradually but surely caught in snare
from which they saw no escape.
BY breaking through the walls ofthe ad
Joining houses, the Mexicans forced Crabl
and his party into the corner buildings
which they repeatedly set on fire. but which
the Americans as often extinguished Al
last Papago Indian shot into the roof o
the main building, occupied by the unhap
by fillibusters, lighted arrow The flames
caught the roof, and in few moments tn
fire was dropping in great flakes upon thu
heads Of the doomed men within. WorI
out with constant fighting, exhausted will
anxiety, furnished by probably days of star
walton and thirst, and without ammunition
Henry A. Crabb and tifty-eight n,cr
marched out of the burning house, with
white flag before them. laid down thei
arms and surrendered. 1t is supposed I'M
conditionally. This was in the night O
towards morning They were Immediate,
tied, their hands behind them, taken to 1
corral near the Alcalde's Office, where they
were kept until morning, when they wcr'
taken ont In squads Of ) and 10 each ant