Оглавление
Daniel Grimes. The Irish Who Fought for Mexico
The Irish Who Fought for Mexico. The San Patricio Battalion in the Mexican-American War. Daniel R. Grimes
Introduction
Chapter One: War Clouds
Chapter Two: The Formation of the San Patricio Battalion and Opening Battles
Chapter Three: The Battle of Buena Vista
Chapter Four: The Battles of Cerro Gordo and Churubusco
Chapter Five: The Execution of the San Patricios
Chapter Six: Legacy of the San Patricios
Notes
Bibliography
Отрывок из книги
For generations, the story of the San Patricio Battalion has stirred emotions in three countries. Nevertheless, the history of these men has been ignored in many accounts of the Mexican-American War (1846-48). The saga began when many Irishmen left their country during a period of terrible famine and began new lives in the United States. Once in America, they faced rampant discrimination and uncertainty about their future, leading many of them to enlist in the United States Army. After enlistment, some were sent to fight against Mexico in a war in which they had no stake. Along with an unwillingness by some of them to fight against other Catholics, having witnessed atrocities committed by American soldiers caused a number of the Irish to feel they had more in common with Mexico than with the predominantly Protestant United States. In addition, Mexican offers of both citizenship and several acres of land to anyone who deserted the American army and fought for Mexico proved to be valuable incentives to both Irish and other foreign-born soldiers to switch sides.
Once these Irish deserted the Americans and joined the Mexican Army, they had a significant impact in several key battles of the war. Their courage and fighting ability earned the soldiers of the San Patricio Battalion great admiration from Mexico but the wrath of the United States, which was determined to crush them. Facing overwhelming odds against a well-trained and well-equipped American army, the San Patricios remained steadfast in defense of their adopted land, Mexico, even after many of their Mexican comrades fled the battlefield or wanted to surrender.
.....
On April 25, a Mexican force attacked and routed a smaller detachment of American cavalrymen. Polk, who was already adamant about declaring war against Mexico, now was confident he had sufficient reason to do so when he received word of this battle. The American president angrily accused Mexico of invading American territory and shedding its people’s blood. The United States Congress declared war on Mexico on May 13, 1846. In the United States, this war was known at the time as the Mexican War and in Mexico, as the War of North American Intervention, the War of North American Invasion, or the War of Northern Aggression.
Meanwhile, across the Atlantic Ocean, a tragedy known as the Great Famine was devastating Ireland. Many Irish were completely reliant on potato crops for their food and livelihood. A massive crop failure caused many of the people to die of starvation or disease. A huge number of Irish, mainly from the western part of the country, decided to immigrate—primarily to the United States and Canada. During this period, Ireland lost a quarter or more of its total population. Some Irish died before reaching the ships. Many lost their lives on the voyage to North America due to malnutrition and disease; the mortality rate on the vessels was so high that they became known as “coffin ships.”
.....
