CALIFORNIA.

Otago Witness, Issue 304, 26 September 1857, Page 7

CALIFORNIA.

ANNIHILATION OF THE SONORA EXPEDITIONISTS. Via San Francisco we have news of the annihilation of the ill-fated Sonora expeditionists. It has been the all-absorbing theme of conversation throughout the State. The information seems to be direct and explicit, and gathered as it is from various sources, and all agreeing in essential details, leaves little doubt that it is reliable. The entire party, consisting of eighty-four men, including Henry A. Crabb, their commander, have been massacred. After a sort of guerilla warfare, which lasted ! eight days, and during which 25 of their numi ber were killed — the remaining 58, with their | commander, unconditionally surrendered to the Mexicans. On the following day the entire party, with the exception of their General, were taken out in squads and shot. A more humiliating and ignominious death awaited General Crabb. He was allowed to write a letter to his wife, and hold an interview with one of his original company, who had left him before they crossed into Mexican territory, after which he was led out to execution. He was tied to a post in front of the buildings he had occupied, his face to the post, and his back to his executioners. A hundred balls 'were then" fired into his body, after which he was decapitated, and his head exhibited in a conspicuous place for the multitude to gaze upon. Amongst the killed are a number of the most distinguished political personages who have ever resided in this State. Some days after the massacre, a detachment of twenty-five Mexicans from San Juan crossed the line, and,on American soil, seized four of Crabb's party,who were sick in the house of an American, and meted out the same punishment as haa been visited upon their countrymen. Spme twenty recruits from Tueson, who were on their way to join Crabb at Cavorca, were attacked by 200 Mexicans near that place. They, however, after severe fighting, reached the.' American line-