Tag: march 29

Before They Became Enemies, They Were Brothers

Today in History, March 29, 1847:

The siege of Veracruz, Mexico, led by American General Winfield Scott, is completed successfully with the capture of Veracruz by American forces after the first amphibious landing by American troops.

This was important by itself…but it added to the historical record, because many of the comrades in arms at Veracruz would, within 13 years, despite their loyalty to each other, become devout enemies.

Fighting together at Veracruz were Robert E. Lee, George Meade, Ulysses S. Grant, James Longstreet, and Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson. Some would be Unionists, some Confederates…but before the Civil War, they are comrades.

Iconic. Legendary. Colt Model 1911

Today in History, March 29: 1911 – The Colt Model M1911 .45 caliber semi-automatic pistol is adopted as the official sidearm of the US Army. The Navy and Marine Corps would follow suit in 1913. The legend had begun. The pistol would demonstrate it’s remarkable reliability in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam, and all of the smaller conflicts between. The M1911 and it’s variants didn’t go out of general service until 1985, and is still used by many units.