Every summer, as a young child, my parents would trek us east across the deserts of the American Southwest, and then down into the high deserts of Chihuahua, Mexico. Sometimes, along the pitstops I would meander across some of the gift shops in the gas stations looking at the curios, but it was always the books about the Old Wild West that caught my eye. Finally, after much begging and several trips (and years) across the desert and back, my mother bought me the book I wanted so much about Billy the Kid.

I don't know if that particular book is still around at mom's house, but my interest for the history of the American Southwest has never faded. Recently while reading and researching, before my internet troubles, I came across the interesting story of a man I had never heard of before. Now, after several weeks of arguing and complaining, the cable company finally replaced the modem. I can now introduce you to this little known historical figure and the St. Patrick's Battalion.

In the 1840's, newly arrived Irish Immigrants were quick to learn that America was not as welcoming as they believed it to be. Like many fleeing the Irish Potato Famine as well as British oppression, it was during this period, John Riley of Galway, Ireland found himself in the state of Michigan, USA. Having British Military service under his belt, John Riley enlisted in the US Army in 1845.

While in the US Army under Company K of the 5th U.S. Infantry Regiment , John Riley would realize that being Irish and Catholic were not favorable traits, even for a skilled and experienced artilleryman like him. This period in US history pitted many of the American born Protestants, called "Nativists," against the newly arrived Catholic Immigrants of mostly Irish and German descent. The US Military, especially its ranking officers, shared similar disdain for its enlisted Catholic Immigrant soldiers. Under these difficult conditions John Riley would continue to follow orders, but with growing resentment towards his military superiors due to the abuse and mistreatment he and his fellow enlisted Catholic Irishmen had to endure.

In early 1846, war between Mexico and United States was imminent. In the United States, Manifest Destiny was no longer an idea but a goal. Mexico's refusal to recognize the Republic of Texas or the U.S. annexation of Texas in 1845 virtually ensured war as the pretext to fulfill the American dream of going coast to coast on the North American continent.

Sometime in the Spring of 1846, John Riley's Company K under the command of General Zachary Taylor was sent down near the Mexican border in preparation for war against Mexico. Riley's resentment towards his superiors would only continue to grow with the continued mistreatment and abuse of Catholic soldiers by Protestant superiors. The mistreatment of Irish Catholic soldiers by Protestant superiors, and possibly the guilt of supporting the "Protestants" in a war against a mostly "Catholic Mexico" finally made John Riley desert the American military, and walk into the arms of the Mexican military.

Mexico did entice deserters with promises of citizenship, land and money, but ultimately it was the systematic abuse by Riley's superiors that made him desert the U.S. military. On April 12, 1846, prior to the start of the Mexican-American War, John Riley abandoned his post and joined the Mexican military in its fight against the encroaching United States of America. Riley would soon be followed by many more Irish Catholics, German Catholics and other nationalities into the ranks of the Mexican military, ultimately abandoning their U.S. posts in order to fight against the United States.

Riley, and those that followed him joined the Legion of Foreigners under Mexico's banner. Although war was not officially declared, there were several skirmishes between Mexican and U.S. forces on May 8th, 1846 at the Battle of Palo Alto. ending with the capture of the port town of Matamoros, Mexico on the gulf coast on May 18th, 1846 by General Taylor and his men. During these battles, Riley and the Legion of Foreigners proved themselves enough to gain the admiration and loyalty of the Mexicans soldiers and people.

Painting of the Battle of Palo Alto

War against Mexico was officially declared by the United States Congress on May 23rd, 1846. General Taylor and his men then proceeded west inland into Mexico. During this time, the Mexican President and General, Santana, ordered the formation of St. Patrick's Battalion under the leadership of John Riley as an artillery battery unit. Although the U.S. army would eventually capture the city of Monterey, Mexico on September 24, 1846, the St. Patrick's Battalion were recognized for their bravery. The battalion even grew in numbers by several hundred more defectors after this losing battle.

Battle of Monterey

By now the St. Patrick's Battalion had become endeared to the Mexican people, even gaining the nickname Los Colorados which means the Red Ones for their reddish hair and skin, but also in a double meaning for the Fierce Ones.

Image Sources:
Pic 1 - wikimedia(image likely appeared on the flag of the St. Patrick's Battalion)

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Riley_(soldier)
https://www.thoughtco.com/biography-of-john-riley-2136191
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War
https://www.historyanswers.co.uk/history-of-war/sophie-scholl-and-the-white-rose-movement/
https://historynewsnetwork.org/article/123121
https://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/abroad/why-were-16-irish-men-hanged-in-mexico-in-1847-1.3413278
https://www.americanheritage.com/content/tragic-story-san-patricio-battalion
https://www.telesurenglish.net/multimedia/The-San-Patricios-Mexicos-Fighting-Irish-Who-Fought-US-Empire-20170317-0005.html
https://www.thoughtco.com/mexican-american-war-battle-of-monterrey-2361046