History Focus for August 17

David Crockett was born on August 17, 1786, in the eastern part of what is now Tennessee. When the boy was about 7, a spring flood washed away his father's gristmill. The family moved to Jefferson County, and his father opened a log-cabin tavern.

At 15 Davy was roughly 6 feet tall and very strong. For a year he worked for various men to whom his father owed money. After Davy worked off these debts, he continued with his last employer, a Quaker. He often borrowed the Quaker's rifle and soon became an expert marksman.

In 1812 war broke out between the United States and Britain. The Creek Indians, believing the British would aid them, went on the warpath. On August 30, 1813, they captured Fort Mims in Alabama and killed the settlers who had sought safety there. With other frontiersmen Davy Crockett served with General Andrew Jackson, later 7th president of the United States, in the campaign against Native Americans of the Creek tribe in 1813. This experience broadened his ambition, and from 1821 to 1825 he was a member of the Tennessee state legislature.

In 1827 Crockett won a seat in Congress and was reelected in 1828. In Washington Crockett's broad, frontier humor proved popular. Usually he wore fringed buckskin clothing, moccasins, and a coonskin cap. His rough, backwoods stories and his motto, "Be sure you're right, then go ahead," became nationally known.

In 1834 he dictated his autobiography, 'A Narrative of the Life of David Crockett, of the State of Tennessee'. When Congress adjourned, he went home, hoping he might be elected president in 1836. The Jackson forces were too strong, and he could not even win reelection to Congress. He felt he was used by the Whigs and was angered over his defeat. He left Tennessee and went to Texas to help in the fight against Mexico. He arrived at the Alamo fortress in San Antonio sometime before the Mexican dictator Santa Anna besieged it on February 28, 1836.

Alamo Myths

There are a number of incorrect facts generally assumed about the Alamo incident.

1) It is generally thought that there were no survivors after the massacre of the defenders by the Mexicans.

Fact - there were six survivors.

2) The people of the US generally believe that the Texans had right on their side.

Fact - The Alamo was not defended in the noble pursuit of freedom. The Mexicans felt the Texans wee because they favored slavery. The Mexican constitution passed a law in 1830 that made slavery unconstitutional. When Texas gained its independence, its constitution did not allow the Texas Congress to interfere with slavery. It was for this reason that Texas was denied entry into the US for so many years.

3) The fearless Davy Crockett died valiantly in the battle.

Fact - Seven defenders of the Alamo, including Davy Crockett, were brought before Santa Anna (then President of Mexico) and condemned to death. Their punishment was to be hacked to death by sabers. Mr. Crockett died this way, and none to valiantly.

Source: The Mammoth Book of Oddities | Frank O'Neil