Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-06-21
THE SONORA FILLBUsTER EXPEDITION

mas Deeu MUCH useu5 50 II HAS uot Deen LOO MuCH
defaced, would be preferred.
THE SONORA FILLTBUSTER EXPEDITION.
gentleman who arrived at San Diego from Fort
Yuma on the 9th of May, furnishes the Herald of
that place with the following particulars Of the fate
of the Crabbe expedition:
The expedition into Sonora, under the command
of H. A. Crabbe, has had most disastrous end
Late in March, Crabbe's party left Sonoita, and
marched to CayOrca, small Mexican town near
Point LobOs, on the Gulf Of California. The first
intention was to have proceeded to Altar but news
of its partial fertilization and susceptibility of strong
defense caused the diversion on CavOrca. On the
morning Of the first Of April the party of Ameri-
cans entered the suburbs Of the town. They were
met by body of Mexican troops commanded by
Rodriguez. It is said Rodriguez advanced to speak
to Crabbe, 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 a state of defence, and had at
the time Crabbe entered the town, a number of
beeevs roasting whole in front Of it feed the Mex
lean troops.
1t appears that here occurred Crabbe's first and
fatal mistake. Instead of at once charging and ia
king the church, which would have given him the
town. he occupied several houses the corner of the
Plaza in front of the church
The Mexicans at first deserted most of the town.
but gradually being emboldened returned and grad
ually hemmed the Americans in. Fighting contin-
ued eight days, with loss to the Americans of
twenty-five killed. The Mexican loss is reported by
themselves have been twenty-five, but is supposed
to have been much greater-as high as two hundred.
On the Sth day an attempt was made by two Of
Crabbe's men to blow up the church, by placing a
keg Of powder under the pOrticO and firing IT, The
devoted men who attempted 1t were both killed. and
Crabbe is said to have been wounded experimenting
it, It is said that an offer was made by Crabbe TO
retire if the MeEicans would allow it. He had re-
fused 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 tri-
umph, refused. The Americans were gradually but
secretly caught in a snare, from which they saw no
escape.
By breaking through the wall of the adjoining
houses the Mexicans forced Crabbe and his men in
to the corner buildings, which they repeatedly set
on fire, but which the Americans often extn-
guished. At last Papago Indian shot into the roof
Of the main building occupied by the unhappy fill
busters a lighted arrow. The flames caught the
roof and in a few moments the fire was dropping in
great fakes upon the heads of the doomed men
within Worn out with constant fighting, exhausted
with anxiety, famished by probably days of starva-
tiOn and thirst and without ammunition, Henry A.
Crabbe and fifty-eight men marched out of the
burning house with a 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
behind them-taken 10 a corral near the Alcalde's
Office, where they were kept until morning, when
they were taken out in squads of five and ten each
and shot. In the first executions 1t 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
they succeeded in aiming with better effect
MoCOun (may he rest in peace owing to his great
stature, was saved this tOTtureda ball struck him
full in the breast at the first fire, and he fell dead
Crabbe alone was reserved for solitary death. He
taken to the Alcaldes Office, questioned, allow
ed to write letter to his wife, and to have an in
tervieW with DR.. Evans, 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 hands stretched
above his head and tied to post, in front of the
building he had Occupied-his face to the post and
his back to the eXecutiOners At the command
fire" at least a hundred balls were fred into his
body, and all that was mortal of Henry A. Crabbe
hung dead, swinging by his tied hands. AMexican
stepped forward and with large knife severed his
head from the body, the warm blood spirting half
way across the street. The head was placed on
table in 'front.' in the Office of the Juez, exposed
the jeers of the pOpulace. 1t was then placed in
jar Of mescal for preservation Is there not some
thing peculiarly terrible in such fate for a man
who has once controlled almost the destiny of a
great State like California
Two of the Ainsas (brOthers-in-aw Of Crabbe,)
are said to be killed, and also Rasey Biven. My
informant, an intelligent man, and eyewitness
Of these horrors, says Crabbe died a gentleman
should, calmly and quietly as if he going
pleasant home.
Four men, sick, had been left at SonOita by Crabbe
They occupied the house of E. L. Dunbar, Esq, on
the American side of the line. On the 18th Of April
at night, party of twenty-five Mexicans came up
from San Juan. went to DUnbar's house, took these
poor sick out Of bed tied them, and at dawn of
day carried them to the foot of the HILL shot them
like dogs American soil, and left them to rot.
party Of PapajO Indians, meTciful buried them,
and four solitary mounds now appeal lone witnesses
of a beastly crime to the American government for
revenge. Will such appeal 60 unheard?
Mr.. Dunbar just escaped massacre, having left
Sonoita on the afternoon previous The Mexicans
were furious at his escape, although he had moth
ing to do with the party, except TO offer shelter on
American soil, to four sick men in his own house
A party of about thirty, under Captain Grant
Orry, started from Tucson join Crabbe at Cavorca.
When within fifteen miles of the latter place they
were attacked by about two hundred Mexicans.
Capt. Orrey retreated fighting, and regained the
American line with loss of only four killed. The
Mexican loss was about forty Capt. Orrey deserves
great credit for his skill At every watering place
the Mexicans attempted to check him and subdue
him by thirst but he routed them every occasion
The last eight miles was a continued running fight
and his fourth lost killed just at the line
Another party of the same strength which lef Tubac
has not yet been heard of. II Is believed that if
Capt. Orrey had been with Crabbe different result
might have been anticipated. All was bad manage
ment, want Of experience, and clear rushing upon
o deadly fate Crabbe entered Cavorca with eigtv-
four men. All these were killed except the youngest
said to have been spared by the Mexican comman-
der Garcia The name of the survivor Is unknown
but he is said to be boy of sixteen or seveteen The
Mexicans az CaYOrca were about five hundred
strong.
Major Bob WOod and Major Tozer are safe. They
were with Capt Orrey's party. Col. R. n. Wood,
lota Fillmore eIeetOr is smouug the dead