The Irish Soldiers of Mexico

On the eve of Mexican-American War of 1846-1848, a group of recently arrived Irish immigrants deserted the U.S. army and joined the Mexican army as the Saint Patrick's Battalion. This excellent study explores the motivations of the Irishmen, their valiant contributions to the Mexican cause, and the consequences for them when they were ultimately captured. While investigating this, the book asks new questions about Manifest Destiny, anti-Catholicism in the U.S., imperialism and political and cultural dissent. More than a reevaluation of a little-known secret of one of the Northern Hemisphere least-studied wars, it is a compelling narrative of sacrifice and honor. Read more