The Legend of Davy Crockett - The Incredible Journey

This is quite a growing, prosperous city in America's state of Texas. San Antonio is drawing in a lot of residents and a lot of tourists too, mainly because of one fascinating story. It's this place, the Alamo, which 200 Texans were defending heroically and where they all were killed by General Santa Anna's huge Mexican army. And yet that disaster, the Battle of the Alamo, inspired people to liberate this state, to create the Republic of Texas and lay the foundations of modern America. It became quite a legend. And today, we're going to get to know the most fascinating character at that event, the legendary hero, Davy Crockett. His story will inspire you to take on any challenges and give you a glimpse of something even greater that could change your life forever. This is where a legend was born. At this home site, beside the Nolichucky River near Limestone, Tennessee, David, better known as Davy Crockett, was born on the 17th of August, 1786. Davy was the fifth of nine children born to John and Rebecca Crockett. Davy's father, John Wesley Crockett, was a veteran of the American Revolution and fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain. Life in the wilderness was difficult. This replica wood cabin, with an engraved stepping stone from the original cabin, provides some idea of the challenges the Crocketts faced. But they were a resilient, self-sufficient and independent family. These early years were filled with adventure, travel and hardship. Davy grew up in the hills and river valleys of eastern Tennessee. His father taught him how to fire a rifle and he became a crack shot. As a youngster, he eagerly accompanied his older brothers on hunting trips and mastered the skills necessary for life on the American frontier. There was no schooling in those early years, but Davy had already gained a reputation for storytelling and marksmanship at a young age. And this is it, the first rifle Davy owned and the very one he used to develop his marksmanship and hunting skills. He affectionately called it Betsy. It's part of the collection at the East Tennessee Historical Society in Knoxville. In 1796, the Crocketts built a log tavern on the stage route between Knoxville, Tennessee and Abingdon, Virginia. They provided food and lodging for the wagon trains, drovers and teamsters that passed this way. This reconstruction now stands on the original site. The original tavern survived through until the Civil War when it was used as a hospital and then as a hospice for victims of smallpox. The Crockett family battled to make a living here and Davy spent his boyhood years doing household chores, assisting in the family business and exploring the woods around the area. At the tavern, young Davy would have heard many tales told by travelers which sparked his own desire to explore America. It was here that Davy's father enrolled him in the local school. Well, Davy's schooling lasted just four days. He got into a fight with the school bully and gave him a real good beating. He was afraid the teacher would punish him and so decided to stay away from school. He would head off to school each morning with his brothers but before getting to the schoolhouse, he meandered off into the woods to occupy himself until the school day was over. Eventually, the schoolmaster wrote a note to his father inquiring why young David wasn't at school. Mr. Crockett was extremely angry that his son wasn't attending school and that the goods he'd traded to pay for his son's education were going to waste. There was a heated argument and the threat of heavy-handed punishment. It was all too much for Davy and he ended up running away from home. It would be years before he returned home again. Davy was on his own at just 13 years of age. He was willing to try his hand at anything to survive. He spent the next three years wandering from town to town doing odd jobs. He was a plow boy on a farm, a clean-up boy at a mill and he helped drove a herd of cattle and team of horses to Virginia, a distance of about 600 kilometres. Around the time of his 16th birthday, Davy returned home unannounced and his family hardly recognised him at first. The Crockett family was thankful to have Davy back. His father owed money to a local farmer so Davy offered to work off the debt. He also caught up on a little more schooling and divided his time between school and work. He learned the basics, to read, to write and to add and subtract. Davy fell in love with Polly Finley and they were married on August the 16th, 1806, the day before his 20th birthday. They lived for the next few years in a small cabin near Crockett's parents. Davy and Polly had two sons and a daughter. Davy was a skilled hunter and trapper and was able to provide food and clothing for his family. He travelled around the Mississippi Valley region as a fur trader, where he also became familiar with the local native Indians and their customs. In 1813, Davy became a US Army Scout. Creek Indian warriors had massacred about 500 men, women and children at Fort Mimms in retaliation for white troops attacking and killing a party of Indians while they were having a midday meal. Like most of his friends and neighbours, Davy Crockett set out to avenge the massacre. They attacked the Indian town of Tulusahatchee and massacred 200 men, women and children. Davy rose to the rank of colonel in the Indian wars that followed, where he spent most of his time working as a scout and hunter. There were times when he would somehow provide wild food for his whole regiment. Soon after he returned home from the war, his wife Polly died from malaria after giving birth to their daughter. In 1815, Davy married a widow named Elizabeth who had enough of an inheritance of property and cash to make Davy a wealthy man. Davy and Elizabeth had three children of their own. The Crockett family moved to West Tennessee in 1817 and settled in Lawrence County near the town of Lawrenceburg. Here, Davy enjoyed success in business and politics. Along with the Crockett farm, Davy operated a gristmill, a distillery, owned an iron ore mine and a gunpowder factory. The Crockett's businesses were located here along the banks of Shoal Creek near the beautiful Crockett Falls, later named in honour of Davy Crockett. In addition to being a family man and running these businesses, Davy was also a justice of the peace as well as being active in politics and military affairs. The up-and-coming politician set up an office like this and became the town commissioner of Lawrenceburg in 1818 and was elected colonel of the 57th Militia Regiment in the county that same year. From here, he successfully ran for a seat in the Tennessee legislature as the representative of Lawrence County. Davy Crockett spent five years here, one of the longest blocks of time he spent in any one location, and a life-sized bronze statue of him in Lawrenceburg Town Square pays tribute to the backwoods statesman and politician whose many business ventures brought him to this community. The statue bears Crockett's most famous quote, "'Be sure you are right, then go ahead.'" Davy took a break from politics and business and returned to his favourite activity, hunting bears in the woods of Tennessee and selling their pelts, meat, and oil for a living. He even claimed to have bagged 105 bears in a seven-month period during the winter of 1825-26. His love for hunting dangerous animals and the tall stories he told about it later played a major part in making him a frontier hero. Davy Crockett was still an enormously popular political figure, but now his ambitions went beyond the Tennessee state legislature. He set his sights on Washington, and in 1827 he ran for US Congress and was elected to the US House of Representatives for three terms between 1827 and 1835. His quick wit and natural leadership abilities allowed him to move from the humblest of settings to the halls of Congress. Crockett was a colourful character who told far-fetched stories and wore leather clothes with a squirrel-skin hat. He became an admired figure in Washington and was highly esteemed by his fellow congressmen. He championed the cause of the poor land settlers and fought to protect their rights to the land they had worked. Even in Washington, Davy Crockett was larger than life and was always where the action was. He was on hand and helped foil an assassination attempt on President Andrew Jackson. On the 30th of January, 1835, the two men were part of a crowd of lawmakers leaving the US Capitol after a state funeral. As President Jackson passed near the East Portico, a crazed gunman named Richard Lawrence emerged from a throng of spectators and shot at the president with two pistols, both of which miraculously misfired. Davy Crockett bravely tackled the would-be assassin, wrestled him to the ground, and disarmed him. It was the first time someone had attempted to assassinate an American president. But despite saving the president's life, Crockett had serious disagreements with Andrew Jackson, particularly over the president's Indian Removal Act. Crockett fiercely opposed the president's plan to forcibly remove the Native American tribes from their ancestral lands and relocate them somewhere else. His feud with the president would bring about the end of his political career. Jackson campaigned against Crockett and stood his own candidates against him. In 1835, Crockett narrowly lost his seat in Congress. He was bitterly disappointed and allegedly told his constituents that they could do what they liked, but that he was leaving and going to Texas. And go to Texas he did. With a few followers in tow, he left Tennessee and made his way to Texas and arrived here at the Alamo on the banks of the San Antonio River on the 8th of February, 1836. The Alamo was originally a Spanish Catholic mission and fortress built in 1718 called Mission San Antonio de Valero. The mission was part of Spain's strategy to colonize and maintain control over this territory. Spain established five missions along the San Antonio River. Mission San Antonio de Valero, with its stone church, convent, and houses, served as the religious, cultural, and commercial centre for the region. In the early 1800s, Spanish troops were stationed here. The garrison stood in a grove of cottonwood trees and the Spanish soldiers gave it the name El Alamo, the Spanish word for cottonwood, and to remind them of their hometown in Mexico. When David Crockett arrived here, there was serious trouble brewing. In the early 1800s, a lot of American settlers arrived in San Antonio and began to settle in the area. Before long, there were more Americans than Mexicans living in Texas. In 1821, the country of Mexico won its independence from Spain and so Texas became part of Mexico. But the Americans living here in Texas didn't want to be part of Mexico and so decided to break away and become an independent republic. A group of rebellious Texans captured the Alamo and prepared to defend it. A powerful Mexican general named Santa Anna took control of the government and gathered an army of several thousand to march on Texas and take it back, including the Alamo. When the Texans heard that General Santa Anna was coming there with a large army, there was a lot of debate on what they should do. Should they abandon the Alamo and retreat or stay and fight and defend the fort? The head of the Texas army, General Sam Houston, wanted to retreat and abandon the fort and remove the cannons. He said it couldn't be defended. However, James Bowie, the famous frontiersman and knife fighter, decided he would stay, defend the fort, and fight for freedom. The rest of the soldiers also chose to stay and fight. Davy Crockett decided to join them and defend the Alamo. He would fight for freedom. Because of his reputation and exploits, Crockett's presence was a great morale boost to the Texans. Having Davy on their side gave them a lot of courage. The Alamo compound was surrounded by a wall about four metres high. Inside the fort, there was a chapel, a barracks for soldiers, a hospital room, a large courtyard, and a horse corral. Cannons were placed along the walls and on top of the buildings. Travis, James Bowie, and their men made preparations to defend the Alamo. General Santa Anna and his troops arrived at the Alamo on February 23, 1836. They laid siege to the fort for 13 days and began to bombard the former mission with cannon shot in an effort to systematically destroy its protective walls and reduce them to rubble. Then, in the early morning of March 6, 1836, Santa Anna's men launched a major attack. At first, the Texans kept them out and successfully repulsed two attacks. However, there were just too many Mexican soldiers. Santa Anna's troops regrouped several times. They continued to attack until they could climb the walls. The Alamo fighters then moved further inside the mission. This allowed the Mexicans to get over the walls. Once the Mexicans were inside, they battled the Alamo fighters hand to hand and from room to room. Some say that when the Alamo fighters ran out of bullets, David Crockett led them as they wielded their guns as clubs and continued bravely fighting inside the Alamo to the very end. The Battle of the Alamo lasted only one and a half hours. Every Alamo defender was killed. James Bowie, who had been ill, was killed in his bed and David Crockett, well, early reports from witnesses had him falling in battle while still wielding his rifle, surrounded by a heap of enemy corpses. Although the Texans lost the battle, their bravery, their example, inspired and galvanized the rest of Texas against Mexico and General Santa Anna. And the time they held out during the siege, those 13 days, gave General Sam Houston enough time to build his army so that a few weeks later, he led the Texans to victory over Santa Anna's army and Texas won its independence, becoming a republic and eventually part of the United States of America. The story of David Crockett and the Alamo soon grew into a famous legend. His achievements made him famous in his own lifetime. But after his death, his exploits were often exaggerated to mythical proportions. Books, stage plays, poems, and songs elevated him into the great American superhero. It was said he could wade the Mississippi River, leap over the state of Ohio, ride on a bolt of lightning, killed a bear when he was only three, and could wrestle wildcats. Of course, that was the legend, all myth and exaggerated beyond reality. Then came movies and television, Hollywood and Disney combined, to inflate David Crockett's legend even further. He was the subject of 17 movies and 12 television series over a relatively short period of time. There's an interesting scene in the 2004 movie, The Alamo. David Crockett and James Bowie are waiting for the enemy to attack, knowing they face certain death. And Crockett confesses, if it was just me, simple old David from Tennessee, I might drop over that wall some night and take my chances running away. But that David Crockett fella, they're all watching him. Crockett realises that he's a living legend to the men of The Alamo. Now while he recognises that deep down he's just simple old David, he also knows that the soldiers identify him with the man who rides lightning bolts, wades rivers and leaps mountains. His influence and power comes from that association. And so he's no longer free to just act any old way he wants to, because others depend on him to be more. They look to him as a source of courage. They depend on him. They're watching to see if he's the real deal. When I think about the line in that movie, they're all watching, I think about its implications for a Christian. Will I be that person who thinks only of himself? Or will I take into consideration how my actions affect others? Do we realise that others are watching us and that what we choose and how we behave could have a profound effect on them? Many historians credit Crockett with boosting the morale of the defenders at The Alamo when he arrived to support them. His presence and example encouraged them to take a stand, to hold out for as long as they did, giving General Sam Houston the precious time needed to gather his army, the army that would eventually defeat Santa Ana and propel Texas to freedom and independence. You see, as Christians, we are associated with someone bigger than ourselves. But he's not a legend. He's God. He's real. Sometimes we may be tempted to drop over the wall in order to serve what we may think are our own best interests. But we shouldn't do it, because those who are identified with Christ never know who is watching. We should never betray the kingdom we represent with our own selfish actions. Others are looking at us to see if Christianity is indeed the real deal. And we can only give courage and comfort to the extent that we live up to the image, the image of Christ. No doubt Paul had this in mind when he told Timothy in 1 Timothy 4 and verse 12, let no one despise your youth, but be an example in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Jesus highlighted this same principle earlier when he spoke about his followers being the light of the world. Here's what he said in Matthew chapter five and verse 16. Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. And the apostle John echoed the same principle. Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. God asks his followers to live good and upright lives, to stand for principle, to do what is right and honourable, to bring light, hope, peace, truth and happiness to people around them. God wants people to be able to clearly see the difference that he can make in a person's life. God wants people to see firsthand the benefits that his principles bring to a society. And that's why he asks his followers to do the right thing. David Crockett gives us just a tiny insight into this. He was a provider who gave his life for freedom, but Jesus is the great provider. And he made the ultimate sacrifice, not just for Texas, but for the whole world. He gave himself up on the cross in order to offer freedom to every sinful, broken person on this planet. On that cross, he was laying out forgiveness. He was taking on the results of all our sins. He was laying out his perfect life. The cross of Christ did indeed result in freedom, in a great kingdom of independence. And that freedom can make a big impact right now. It enables broken people to heal. It enables wounded people to feel strong and confident. You see, Jesus does forgive sins. He does wipe out the darkness of the past. But he also offers us a new life. After that, there's something so powerful that comes out of his life given up for each of us. We can move way out of whatever darkness, whatever problems are putting us down. We can get into Christ's kingdom, the kingdom of heaven. That's the independence that Jesus gave himself up for. That's the kind of freedom he can bring us. Why not reach out and accept that gift of freedom right now as we pray? Dear Father, thank you for understanding so well about the things that keep us in bondage. Thank you for offering us an escape, a way out. We need Jesus Christ in our lives. We need his forgiveness and also his empowerment. We claim his strength inside our hearts. We claim his ability to overcome every one of our obstacles in his name, amen. The story of Davy Crockett, king of the wild frontier and hero of the Alamo, has captured the interest and imagination of people all over the world. He was a man who came from humble beginnings. He overcame many obstacles and challenges to become a legend in his own lifetime. If you're struggling with the burdens and challenges of life, then I'd like to recommend the free gift we have for all our viewers today. It's a booklet called Finding Courage to Meet Life's Challenges. This booklet is our gift to you and is absolutely free. There are no costs or obligations whatsoever. This booklet will bring you fresh courage and hope. In fact, it could change your life forever. So please don't miss this wonderful opportunity to receive the free gift we have for you today. Here's the information you need. Phone us now on 048 13 15 101 or text us on 0491 222 999 or visit our website theincrediblejourney.tv to request today's free offer. So don't delay, contact us right now. If you've enjoyed today's journey, be sure to join us again next week when we will share another of life's journeys together and experience another new and thought-provoking perspective on the peace, insight, understanding and hope that only the Bible can give us. The Incredible Journey truly is television that changes lives. Until next week, remember the ultimate destination of life's journey. Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain for the former things have passed away.