The story of the San Patricio Battalion of the Mexican army is one of the best-kept secrets in the colorful history of Irish emigrants in the United States.
In 1846, thousands of Irish immigrants who had fled the potato famine in Ireland joined the U.S. Army and became part of General Zachary Taylor's forces that invaded Mexico in the "War of Manifest Destiny" or Mexican-American War.
These Irish soldiers hadn’t found much to like in their new lives. In both the United States and the US Army they’d received disturbingly prejudicial treatment. It wasn't difficult, then, for leader John Riley to convince the Irish soldiers to desert and fight against the United States.
The Irish-Americans were much more comfortable in Mexico; their beliefs, backgrounds, religion, and family lifestyles were a good match with the people "south of the border". Historians have tried to dismiss the 700 soldiers of the Battalion as a bizarre group of malcontents and ne'er-do-wells who deserted, lured by drink and pretty señoritas .
These soldiers were much more than that. The San Patricios are still revered today in Mexico for their exemplary performance on the battlefield. Their bravery (or Irish stubbornness, whatever you want to call it) was renowned.
In the battle of the Churubusco Convent to defend Mexico City, when Mexican troops began to raise the white flag, the San Patricios tore it down. When they ran out of ammunition, they fought hand-to-hand. They suffered great casualties during that battle, called Mexico's “Waterloo.”
Mexican President Santa Ana said, "With a few hundred more men like the San Patricios, Mexico would have won the battle."
The United States court marshaled 50 of the decorated Irish heroes of the Mexican army for defection and mutiny. During the next two days, 46 of them were hanged. Others, including John Riley, were branded on the cheek with a "D" for deserter and were imprisoned for the remainder of the war. These members of the Irish Battalion of the Mexican Army are honored with a plaque bearing their names in the San Angel region of Mexico City
Ireland also embraces the San Patricios as national heroes. Mexico recently erected a monument to John Riley and the San Patricios in Clifton, County Galway, Riley’s home. Every September 13, The green San Patricios Flag, emblazoned with a harp and shamrock flies over Clifton. Ernesto Zedillo, past president of Mexico said, “One hundred fifty years ago, the courage and blood of both Mexicans and Irish mingled in a struggle for ideals which both our countries have always shared: independence, freedom, and dignity for our women."
Mexico also remembers her brave San Patricio Battalion as national heroes, each year on September 13, one of several days of remembrance that constitute Mexico's Independence Day celebration.
Niños Heroes
September 13 is also known as El Día de Niños Heroes (the day of the boy heroes) commemorating the death of five Mexican Cadets who defended Chapultepec Castle against the Americans on the day the Americans were hanged. One of the cadets jumped from the building, wrapped in the Mexican flag – to keep the US troops from destroying it when they advanced through the building to raise the stars and stripes over Mexico City.
The Books and Movies
One Man's Hero starring Tom Berenger, a Paramount film, is the best known of the 8-10 movies made about the participation of the San Patricio Battalion in the Mexican American War. While it white-washes the injustices of the US army against the Mexican civilian population, the burning of churches, and other events, it at least acknowledges the event in history.
Local Author—Great Books
Michael Hogan, the head of the Department of Letters and Humanities at the prestigious American School in Guadalajara, is the author of a number of books, including the critically acclaimed Making Our Own Rules.
Hogan, himself of Irish descent and living in Mexico has written a pair of books about the Irish involvement in the Mexican American War -- The Irish Soldiers of Mexico and Molly Malone and the San Patricios. Both books were published in 1999 and are available on Amazon.com
Click here to read the other two posts in our Salute to Irish-Mexicans:
The Mexican Irish Connection and Celebrating St. Patrick – March 16 –
Was Zorro from Ireland? – March 17
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