Crabb massacre

Crabb Massacre
Part of the Reform War

Map Showing the location of the Crabb Massacre
DateApril 1–8, 1857
Location
Result Mexican victory
Belligerents
 United States  Mexico
Tohono O'odham
Commanders and leaders
Henry A. Crabb Executed Ignacio Pesqueira
Hilario Gabilonda
Strength
1,000 1,200
Casualties and losses
87 killed[1] 189 killed or wounded[1]

The Crabb Massacre was the culmination of the eight-day Battle of Caborca. It was fought between Mexico and their O'odham allies against irregular forces from the United States in April 1857. Due to the outbreak of the Reform War in Mexico between conservatives and liberals (1858-1860), the rebel Ignacio Pesqueira invited the U.S. politician Henry A. Crabb to colonize the northern frontier region in the state of Sonora. The colonists could help Pesqueira fight in the civil war and against the Apache.

The idea of an American intervention was unpopular among Pesqueira's supporters, and when Crabb arrived in Mexico, his command was attacked and defeated by Pesqueira's liberal forces. About 50 of the 85 men survived the battle only to be executed by the Mexicans, including Crabb himself.[2]

  1. ^ a b United States Department of State, pg. 69-72
  2. ^ Thomas Edwin Farish, `Arizona Historian'. "Chapter XX. The Crabb Massacre". Archived from the original on 27 May 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2014.