Mistreatment of Irish Soldiers was not confined to His Mayesty’s army. The US Army’s officers were no slouches when it came to maltreatment of Irishmen. At the time of the United States War with Mexico, a large number of Irish soldiers serving in the American Army deserted, and fought under the Mexican flag as the “San Patricio Batallion”. Several books and at least one movie have been made about them, the latest, as a novel titled the “St Patrick’s Batallion”. The leader of the “San Patricios” was a man named John Riley. The unit, probably the most effective and deadly in the Mexican army, was wiped out at the battle for Chepaultepec Castle with the survivors being tried by courts martial for desertion. A large number were sentanced to death by Winfield Scott, the US forces commander, and the executions by hanging were carried out the moment the US flag flew over the Castle. Sgt Riley and several others escaped the death sentance as they had deserted before the formal declaration of war. They were branded as deserters.
Sam