The March 2019 Alamo issue of True West brought to mind a documentary I saw a few years ago that claimed Davy Crockett and some of his men were captured, taken to Mexico City and executed. Is there any truth to that story?
Joe Rezentes
Floyd, Iowa
No! There are many tales told about Davy and the Alamo, including the one you mentioned. Others say he died swinging his rifle, “Ol’ Betsy,” with a dozen or so Mexican soldados dead or dying at his feet.
According to several Mexican soldiers who were witnesses, David Crockett was captured, since he was an important man, and taken to Gen. Santa Anna. Earlier, the general had given the order to take no prisoners of the fighting. Santa Anna repeated his order and the group pounced on Crockett and a few others and killed them. But that story is disputed. He may well have died at his post. Either way, he and the other defenders were heroes.
Marshall Trimble is Arizona’s official historian and vice president of the Wild West History Association. His latest book is Arizona Outlaws and Lawmen; The History Press, 2015. If you have a question, write: Ask the Marshall, P.O. Box 8008, Cave Creek, AZ 85327 or email him at marshall.trimble@scottsdalecc.edu.
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