St. Patrick's Battalion: Traitors or Heroes of the Mexican War?

Although the Mexican War turned out to be a significant gain in territory for the US, not everyone supported the endeavor. In fact, not only were the US fighting Mexico, they also ended up fighting a few hundred of their own men. These men would later become known as St. Patrick's Battalion.

St. Patrick's Battalion was a group of a few hundred American soldiers, mostly made up of Irish Catholics and other immigrants. During the Mexican War, these men broke off from the US Army and joined Mexico's side. This action was caused partially by the discrimination immigrants faced in the US and partially by Mexico's enticing offer.

When the Irish Catholics first immigrated to the United States, they were immediately faced with a large wave of hatred and opposition from the American Protestants. This initial nativism also extended to most other immigrants who entered the US. Immigrants were often given dirty jobs that were low in status, both inside and outside of the army. The discrimination and poor treatment from the US caused the immigrants to search for better opportunities. Opportunity arose when the Mexicans offered them land, money, and higher positions in the army, which the Irish Catholics and immigrants swiftly accepted as they deserted the US army.

The group began as the "legion of foreigners," but eventually became St. Patrick's Battalion after the Battle of Resaca de la Palma. The battalion continued to fight in the battles of Buena Vista and Churubusco under their commander, John Riley. But the Battle of Churubusco ended the infamous battalion's run.

On August 20th, 1847, the Mexicans, including St. Patrick's Battalion, surrendered at the Battle of Churubusco near the Churubusco River, and the US captured most of the traitors. 85 members of the battalion were imprisoned, and of the 72 members tried for desertion, 50 were hanged and one was shot.

To this day, the opinion on St. Patrick's Battalion differs from country to country. The US generally views them as traitors or "deserters," but Mexico still remembers them as heroes of the Mexican War. St. Patrick's Battalion is important in showing the growing sectionalism that occurred in the US around that time. As the government and some citizens continued to be discriminatory toward immigrants, tensions grew and violence swept in. A similar, more extreme conflict would arise after the question of slavery was prolonged for too long.

Sources:

https://www.history.com/news/10-things-you-may-not-know-about-the-mexican-american-war
https://taskandpurpose.com/st-patricks-battalion-incredible-story-irish-american-soldiers-defected-mexico