Every summer, as a young child, my parents would trek us east across the deserts of the American Southwest, and then down into the high deserts of Chihuahua, Mexico. Sometimes, along the pitstops I would meander across some of the gift shops in the gas stations looking at the curios, but it was always the books about the Old Wild West that caught my eye. Finally, after much begging and several trips (and years) across the desert and back, my mother bought me the book I wanted so much about Billy the Kid.
I don't know if that particular book is still around at mom's house, but my interest for the history of the American Southwest has never faded. Recently while reading and researching, before my internet troubles, I came across the interesting story of a man I had never heard of before. Now, after several weeks of arguing and complaining, the cable company finally replaced the modem. I can now introduce you to this little known historical figure and the St. Patrick's Battalion.
The St. Patrick's Battalion - The Story of John Riley, A Mexican War Hero - Part I
In the 1840's, newly arrived Irish Immigrants were quick to learn that America was not as welcoming as they believed it to be. Like many fleeing the Irish Potato Famine as well as British oppression, it was during this period, John Riley of Galway, Ireland found himself in the state of Michigan, USA. Having British Military service under his belt, John Riley enlisted in the US Army in 1845.
While in the US Army under Company K of the 5th U.S. Infantry Regiment , John Riley would realize that being Irish and Catholic were not favorable traits, even for a skilled and experienced artilleryman like him. This period in US history pitted many of the American born Protestants, called "Nativists," against the newly arrived Catholic Immigrants of mostly Irish and German descent. The US Military, especially its ranking officers, shared similar disdain for its enlisted Catholic Immigrant soldiers. Under these difficult conditions John Riley would continue to follow orders, but with growing resentment towards his military superiors due to the abuse and mistreatment he and his fellow enlisted Catholic Irishmen had to endure.
In early 1846, war between Mexico and United States was imminent. In the United States, Manifest Destiny was no longer an idea but a goal. Mexico's refusal to recognize the Republic of Texas or the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845 virtually ensured war as the pretext to fulfill the American dream of going coast to coast on the North American continent.
Sometime in the Spring of 1846, John Riley's Company K under the command of General Zachary Taylor was sent down near the Mexican border in preparation for war against Mexico. Riley's resentment towards his superiors would only continue to grow with the continued mistreatment and abuse of Catholic soldiers by Protestant superiors. The mistreatment of Irish Catholic soldiers by Protestant superiors, and possibly the guilt of supporting the "Protestants" in a war against a mostly "Catholic Mexico" finally made John Riley desert the American military, and walk into the arms of the Mexican military.
Mexico did entice deserters with promises of citizenship, land and money, but ultimately it was the systematic abuse by Riley's superiors that made him desert the U.S. military. On April 12, 1846, prior to the start of the Mexican-American War, John Riley abandoned his post and joined the Mexican military in its fight against the encroaching United States of America. Riley would soon be followed by many more Irish Catholics, German Catholics and other nationalities into the ranks of the Mexican military, ultimately abandoning their U.S. posts in order to fight against the United States.
Riley, and those that followed him joined the Legion of Foreigners under Mexico's banner. Although war was not officially declared, there were several skirmishes between Mexican and U.S. forces on May 8th, 1846 at the Battle of Palo Alto. ending with the capture of the port town of Matamoros, Mexico on the gulf coast on May 18th, 1846 by General Taylor and his men. During these battles, Riley and the Legion of Foreigners proved themselves enough to gain the admiration and loyalty of the Mexicans soldiers and people.
Painting of the Battle of Palo Alto
War against Mexico was officially declared by the United States Congress on May 23rd, 1846. General Taylor and his men then proceeded west inland into Mexico. During this time, the Mexican President and General, Santana, ordered the formation of St. Patrick's Battalion under the leadership of John Riley as an artillery battery unit. Although the U.S. army would eventually capture the city of Monterey, Mexico on September 24, 1846, the St. Patrick's Battalion were recognized for their bravery. The battalion even grew in numbers by several hundred more defectors after this losing battle.
Battle of Monterey
By now the St. Patrick's Battalion had become endeared to the Mexican people, even gaining the nickname Los Colorados which means the Red Ones for their reddish hair and skin, but also in a double meaning for the Fierce Ones.
Full Steem Ahead!
@streetstyle
Image Sources:
Pic 1 - wikimedia(image likely appeared on the flag of the St. Patrick's Battalion)
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Riley_(soldier)
https://www.thoughtco.com/biography-of-john-riley-2136191
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War
https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/history-of-war/sophie-scholl-and-the-white-rose-movement/
https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/123121
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/why-were-16-irish-men-hanged-in-mexico-in-1847-1.3413278
https://www.americanheritage.com/content/tragic-story-san-patricio-battalion
https://www.telesurenglish.net/multimedia/The-San-Patricios-Mexicos-Fighting-Irish-Who-Fought-US-Empire-20170317-0005.html
https://www.thoughtco.com/mexican-american-war-battle-of-monterrey-2361046
A person is always looking for where he is better, initially he emigrated to America and if he were treated well, he would not be on the other side. Thank you, I will wait for the continuation
Interesting how Irish immigrants back then were frowned upon similar to to the way Mexican and Muslim immigrants are looked on today. Thanks for sharing this bit of history with us @streetstyle
A little big history, very interesting and nice, I didn't know all that, thanks once more for the information and for you supporting. I hope the second part and you visit. ¡Un abrazo!
Hello @streetstyle, thanks for sharing this information, a little history always helps us to understand better, I hope the 2 part.
Have a happy day:)
Maybe history will never uncover the destiny that at long last came to pass for John Riley, however history has uncovered and will keep on demonstrating that he was a man of bravery, rule, and gallantry. Like the officers of the St Patrick's Battalion, he battled for a nation's opportunity and with regards to his confidence. That maybe is inscription enough.
Riley kept on serving in the Mexican Army as a changeless major until the point when he resigned on restorative grounds on 14 August 1850 while positioned in Velacruz. John Riley blurs from verifiable record from this date as the US armed force and government would have liked to cover the record of the St Patrick's Battalion from open learning. For about a century they were fruitful in doing as such. Surely, it was not until the 1970s that the records turned out to be completely available to the general population.
Yes, the US tried to "sweep this under the rug" so to speak. I am not sure if they were embarrassed by all the deserters swelling into the Mexican ranks, or shame at the hanging of some of the members of the St. Patrick's Battalion.
gracias por informar,no sabia nada de todo esto que narra,y es importante conocer de todo y por eso doy gracias a steemit que he aprendido mucho aunque no domino mas idioma sino el español,y aqui no funciona bien el traductor ,saludos y agradecida
Some part of history is inform by you, Mexico and America are with a relationship, probably in war, now border passing!
Excelente información, amigo, @streetstyle. Gracias por compartirla en esta comunidad.
Great information! Thank you for sharing!
Dwarfed and with scarcely any ammo, the protectors battled frantically as the US troops swarmed into the religious circle. Mexican officers who endeavored to raise the white banner of surrender were debilitated with death by the Saint Patrick's Battalion. Skipper Patrick Dalton himself tore down one raised white banner with his uncovered hands, provoking General Anaya to arrange his men to battle on. As US troops cleared over the broken dividers, the contingent battled the American warriors in fierce and savage close-quarter battling. Riley himself was injured yet his force still battled on.
General Santa Anna mourned: "Give me a couple of hundred more men like Riley's and I would have won triumph." It is assessed that somewhere around 60 percent of the regiment fell at Churubusco, with the surviving 85 individuals, including Riley and Dalton, being walked away for preliminary. 72 were quickly accused of abandonment by the US Army.
Two separate courts-military were held, right off the bat at Tacubaya on 23 August 1847 and another at San Angel on 26 August. No lawful portrayal was given and 48 of the men were condemned to be hanged by General Winfield Scott in an immediate infringement of the Articles of War, which stipulated that the punishment for departure or absconding to the foe at time of war was passing by terminating squad.
You are correct @yasminkotha And the hanging was of the men of the St. Patrick's Battalion was to send a message to anyone else thinking about deserting or fighting for the Mexicans.
Following his conviction and marking, Riley was at last discharged nearby his individual Saint Patrick's on 1 June 1848 as a major aspect of the Treaty Of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The Rogue's March was mockingly played by the US warriors as they were discharged, and in spite of the fact that the regiment kept on working as two infantry organizations under his direction, they were authoritatively assembled out in late 1848.
Dismayed at the bloodletting and the franticness of the safeguards, US Army Captain James M Smith raised his own white hanky high up, and finished the butcher, keeping his own blood-crazed men from bayonetting the Saint Patrick's Battalion detainees on the spot. The New Orleans reporter George Kendall conceded:
"The boldest in the holding out were the traitors of the Saint Patrick's Battalion, who battled with distress to the last, tearing down, with their own hands, a few of the white banners lifted by the Mexicans in token of surrender."
John Riley was just saved the rope, to the fierceness of many, on the grounds that he had abandoned before war among Mexico and the US had been announced. In the biggest instance of mass executions ever of United States, 50 Saint Patrick's were held tight three diverse days at three separate areas. 14, including Riley, were stripped to the abdomen and flagellated by a Mexican Muleteer, with directing General Twiggs 'overlooking his check', and in this manner, rather than 50 lashes, 59 lashes were put upon the Saint Patrick's backs.
Riley was then marked on the correct cheek, just beneath his eye, however the marking iron was connected with the 'D' topsy turvy, and along these lines the brand was reapplied a second time to Riley's left side cheek. Chief Patrick Dalton endured the most, truly stifling gradually to death on the platform. The survivors were then compelled to cover their companions previously being walked off to jail.
Connecting with them with a battery of substantial guns, a few US Infantry charges were driven back once more. Nonetheless, the freshness of the supporting Mexican brigades, a large portion of whom were untested volunteer army units, saw the bridgehead traded off. At the point when additional ammo arrived, the nine and a half drachm cartridges ended up being just good with the Saint Patrick's Brown Bess guns of which there were few in contrast with the Mexican rifles.
A stray start from a big guns piece discharging grape shot at the charging Yankees set land a part of the recently arrived ammo, and in the subsequent blast, Captain Santiago O'Leary and General Anaya were severely copied, as the Saint Patrick's were compelled to withdraw behind the religious circle dividers.
hola amigo @streetstyle veo es un amante de la historias de las guerras entre los países.. siempre es bueno tener ese conocimiento para saber por que pasaron las cosas..