Shamrock and Sword: The Saint Patrick's Battalion in the U.S.-Mexican War

by Robert Ryal Miller

This fascinating true story about war, intrigue, defection to the enemy, and brutal military justice is a dramatic example of the conflicts that frequently arise between humanitarian values and inflexible military regulations.

Shamrock and Sword 's setting is the U.S.-Mexican War, remembered by Americans as an illustration of Manifest Destiny, the inevitable extension of the American frontier. It is remembered differently by Mexicans, who lost a substantial portion of their territory to an invading army. Perceptions on both sides of the border will be reshaped by Robert Ryal Miller's account of American soldiers who deserted to fight in the Mexican army. Miller uncovers the reasons for these desertions, presenting the soldiers' stories as they are revealed in records of the time. Many of these deserters were immigrant Irishmen.

Contrary to what has been supposed, however, the Saint Patrick's Battalion included men of a dozen nationalities. Choosing for different reasons to fight under the Mexican flag, all were treated as deserters, and those captured were court-martialed by the U.S. Army. Fifty were executed; others were whipped and branded. The leader of the group, John Riley, was branded with a D on both cheeks. The Mexican government, on the other hand, viewed the men of the Saint Patrick's Battalion as heroes, awarding them honors and erecting a monument to them.

Genres: History, Ireland, American History

252 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1989

Reviews

[Georgy_kovacs · Rating 3 out of 5]

After reading "Invading Mexico" of Joseph Wheelan, I became more and more interested in an obscure and mysterious Irish-American unit fighting on the Mexican Army side: the Saint Patrick’s Batallion. Miller did a very good job researching most available historical records to give at least a decent depiction of the personality of John Riley, the leading officer of the Saint Patrick’s Batallion. Contrary to the popular legend in Mexico, most of their members (deserters from the U.S. Army and subject to martial court if caught) did not change sides because of political reasons or because they believe the war itself was unjust. Most of them changed sides attracted by the Mexican Government promise of owing land after the war and/or earning more money because they would be of a higher rank in the Mexican Army. Some of them deserted because of authentic religious and ethnic reasons: being Irish and Roman Catholic was a great handicap in the U.S. at that time – so the prospect of living and fighting among comrades of the same faith was enough to convince some of them. And finally and as argued at martial court, some of them were just too drunk, young and naïve to articulate a reason to switch sides.

In my opinion, this book is a must-read for anybody who wants to have an objective knowledge of this almost forgotten episode in the American side, but still very much alive in the popular imagination on the Mexican side.

[JW · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short but informative history of part of the US history that many have forgotten and probably isn't even taught anymore. A small group of Irish and other foreign born immigrants desert the US Army to join forces with the Mexican Army. I can't say there are any heroes here as no one comes out looking particularly good.

[foxfire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Super easy & accessible history, Miller obviously did a lot of original research that I hope to emulate one day. However, he leaves much to be desired in the way of analysis, out-writing the "Irishness" or inherent politics of the San Patricios. Kind of shocking how Miller took the largest desertion of the US army, which also turned into military service for the opposing side, and wrote it off as a bunch of drunk opportunists. Excited to dive more into this topic, and yet still overall impressed with Miller's achievement here.

[lukas · Rating 4 out of 5]

fajna kniha ale nič revolučné