The Grabb Massacre - Authentic Particulars

The Crabb Massacre - Authentic Particulars

The following letter from an authentic source, says the New Orleans True Delta, of Thursday last, gives the full particulars of the massacre of Gen. Crabb, and his party, in Sonora, and the present state of affairs in that section:

Tuscon, Gadsen Purchase

April 25, 1857

We received a few days ago, from persons directly from the spot, the full particulars of the massacre of Gen. Crabb and his party by the Mexicans at the town of Caborca, in Senora.

Gen Crabb was invited into Sonora by all of the leading authorities and inhabitants of that State during the late revolution. Before his arrival one party had succeeded in expelling Gaudara, the leader of the other, and placing themselves in power. Thinking, therefore, his services were unnecessary and that he would be a dangerous foe to the grinding disposition of the government A feeling of opposition and hatred was excited against him by the very persons who had signed his invitation into the State.

On Crabb's arrival in Caborca, a frontier town of Sonora, he was met by about two hundred and fifty Mexicans, who attacked him. Though only about seventy-five strong he repulsed them with ease, killing twenty-five soldiers and one officer. His own loss did not amount to anything.

Finding that the whole State was in arms and a very large force on its way to meet him, his supplies cut off, and an almost impassable country behind him, he removed to take possession of two houses in the town and fortify himself against the Mexicans.

Some two thousand State Troops arrived and invested his position. After fighting for several days the roofs of the houses in which he was, were set on fire and the walls very much damaged. Starving and famished for water, he surrended upon the express stipulation that he and his party would be allowed to leave the country. He could not fight longer, having no artillery, and the ammunition for his rifles exhausted.

He and his party, after having made terms and surrendered their arms, were marched out and slain.

Crabb's head was cut off, and his body dragged through the streets.

The bodies of all his men were horribly mutilated. Even figers being cut off before men were dead, to obtain rings upon them.

About twenty-five men went from this place to attempt a junction with Crabb, while he was besieged in Caborca, but were driven back. They had three encounters with the Mexican troops. The Mexicans admit a loss of sixty-two killed and several missing. The loss of the Americans was but one man.

Crabb, the Mexicans admit, killed about forty in his encounter with them.

Thus has ended this last instance of punica fides of the Mexicans.

Crabb was earnestly invited into the country by the ruling powers, but finding it unpopular with some of the people, and Crabb's force so small, they deserted and betrayed him.

Fifteen Americans, who came into Caborca after Crabb surrendered, were also summarily shot; making nearly one hundred Americans, in all, butchered by these treacherous villians.

This expedition has ended as every one has which depended upon Mexican good faith for its success.

There is an intense excitement among the Americans on this frontier. There are no civil officers here to restrain them, and I fear a great deal of bloodshed.

The Mexican troops have crossed the line at Sonoita, and murdered four Americans on our soil. Several American travelers have been murdered in Sonora.

There is no American consul in Senora to protect the persons or property of the United States, who may be engaged in business or traveling through the country.

Murders and depreciations upon property are being committed by Mexican soldiers upon American territory. The only course left for citizens here seems to be to resort to the law of reprisal.

I hope the blood of these murdered men may be as the dragon's teeth and these people may have a lesson forced upon them not to be forgotten as long as they exist.

There is no instance in American history where such atrocities have been committed upon the citizens of the United States by even savage foes.

Arizona A.