The San Patricio Battalion, Army of Mexico, 1847.

Pricing:  $85 USD SRP per set Features: - white metal - hand painted - historically accurate Delivery: In Stock

The story of the San Patricios, the St Patrick's Battalion of the Mexican army of the Mexican- American war of 1846-1848, embodies the turmoil and contradictions faced by Irish soldiery fighting for others throughout history. Though virtually destroyed in 1847 at Churubusco, the controversy that its participation in the war stirred still echoes today.

Formed mostly from Catholic deserters from the US Army invading Mexico and containing a high proportion of immigrant Irish, who had been unhappy with the bigoted treatment by American officers, the anti catholic sentiment of the US army and lured by promises of land , wealth and social acceptance, it was led by the charismatic artillery deserter John Riley .It fought valiantly against the US army for the Mexican cause from February 1847, at the battle of Buena Vista, to the catastrophic Mexican defeat at Churubusco, in August 1847.

The capture of most of the survivors of the battalion at Churubusco resulted in courts -martial that saw brandings, imprisonment and the execution of more than forty of the men.

Today, in both Mexico and Ireland, the men of the battalion are honoured annually while in the United States their actions and motivations are still a matter of debate and serious discussion.