The San Patricios Battalion
Sung By: David Rovics SAN PATRICIOS THE IRISHMEN WHO DIED FOR MEXICO Saint Patrick s Battalion, The San Patricios, a notable arm of the Mexican Army during the MexicanAmerican War of 18461848. Dubious about why they were fighting a Catholic country and fed up with mistreatment by their AngloProtestant officers, hundreds of Irish, German and other immigrants deserted Taylor s army and joined forces with Mexico. Led by Capt. John Riley of Co. Galway, they called themselves the St. Patrick s Battalion (in Spanish, the San Patricios) and fought against their former comrades in all the major campaigns of the war. The history of the San Patricios is a woeful tale of angry, bewildered, naive, or calculating young men, from varied backgrounds, who deserted for a myriad of reasons and paid a fearful price. The San Patricios, in the words of one Mexican general, deserved the highest praise, because they fou
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