BajaNomad

Los San Patricios

Oso - 9-20-2008 at 08:16 AM

The fighting Irish of Mexico: remembering the Saint Patrick Brigade

By THERESE MARGOLIS

The News

More than 200 people turned up at the Plaza San Angel on Friday, Sept. 12, to pay homage to 83 Irish immigrants who fought beside Mexican soldiers in the 1846 war against the United States.

The St. Patrick Brigade, as this martyred group of Irish soldiers came to be known, had originally been drafted into the U.S. Army by Gen. Zachary Taylor to invade Mexico in what some historians have called a war of Manifest Destiny.

However, resentful of their Anglo-Protestant officers and uncomfortable with what they perceived as an unjust war against a fellow Catholic nation, the Irish soldiers deserted Taylor's Army and joined forces with Mexico.

The "San Patricios," as they were called in Mexico, ardently defended their newly adopted nation, but when U.S. troops stormed Churubusco in 1947, the surviving 72 Irish soldiers were taken captive and sentenced for treason.

Those who had deserted the U.S. Army prior to the formal declaration of war on Mexico were flogged and branded on the face with the letter "D," and those who had deserted after the declaration of war were hung. Today, the San Patricios are honored in Mexico as national heroes and their martyrdom is commemorated each year at the site of their court martial in the Plaza San Angel, where a plaque with the names of all 83 known fighting Irish is located.

During the ceremony Friday, which marked the 161th anniversary of their martyrdom, Irish Ambassador to Mexico Dermot Brangan and Alvaro Obregón borough head Leonel Luna Estrada both spoke about how the sacrifice of the San Patricios has united the two nations together throughout history.

"The heroic gesture of the San Patricios build a bond of mutual respect between Mexico and Ireland, and a shared commitment to independence and justice," said Brangan, a few minutes before a wreath-laying and honor guard ceremony at the foot of the San Patricio memorial plaque.

"It is on the foundation of that special bond that we have built closer ties of cooperation in culture, education, tourism and economic interests," the ambassador said.

He added that bilateral trade between Mexico and Ireland currently surpasses $1 billion annually.

"The friendship between our countries might have been based on the noble actions of the San Patricios, but we must always look to the future and build even closer ties in the years ahead," the Irish ambassador said.

"The greatest homage that we can render to the memory of the San Patricio Battalion is to assure that the relationship between Mexico and Ireland continues to broaden in all fields."

Brangan went on note that "fortunately, not all the Irish who came to Mexico suffered the same tragic fate of the San Patricios."

He said that many Irish immigrants have left their mark on Mexican history without having shed their blood.

The famous judicial reformer and educator Justo Sierra was, Brangan said, a descendant of the O'Reilly clan.

By the same token, the envoy said, some of Mexico's most famous muralists, including Juan O'Gorman and Pablo O'Higgins, were descendants of Irish immigrants.

Brangan also highlighted the O'Farrill family, the long-time owners of The News, for their contributions to Mexico's business community.

The ambassador also spoke about new efforts to strengthen two-way ties between Ireland and Mexico, including the recent establishment of the Mexico-Ireland Friendship Group, founded by the Chamber of Deputies to foster political relations.

He likewise said that Enterprise Ireland, the agency to promote Irish international trade, opened an office in Mexico last year.

In the cultural field Brangan pointed out that there are numerous artistic and academic exchanges.

Leonel Luna said that the San Patricios' martyrdom will forever be memorialized in the hearts of all Mexicans.

"These noble Irish heroes died for Mexico," he said, "and it is the duty and honor of every Mexican to assume the responsibility of maintaining the idealistic values of democracy and justice that they died for."

Later, Martín Foley, the Irish community historian, read the names of each of the known San Patricio Battalion soldiers who were martyred or mutilated for their part in defending Mexico against the U.S. invaders. The ceremony also included a performance by the Alvaro Obregón Borough Philharmonic band.

There was also a flag presentation by students from the Escuela Secundaria Tecnológica 28 and the Escuela Esperanza Villasana Heredia.

bajaguy - 9-20-2008 at 08:18 AM

And don't forget that most sacred of Irish holidays.....Hall O'Ween :lol:

Osprey - 9-20-2008 at 09:23 AM

Both my grandparents were from County Cork in Ireland. I'm trying my best to leave no marks at all on Mexico. Just want to leave the place no worse than I found it (maybe a little better).

If we have another war I'll be torn. An Irish airman fighting for UK against Germany wrote a little ditty:
I paraphrase : "I know I'll meet my fate
somewhere among the clouds above,
those I fight I do not hate
those I save I do not love."

Udo - 9-20-2008 at 09:40 AM

"THE HEART OF A FOOL IS IN HIS MOUTH, BUT THE MOUTH OF A WISE MAN IS IN HIS HEART."[i/]
Benjamin Franklin

I consider OSO a wise man (or wiseman) for sticking with this group and regularly posting intelligent information that we can all share in it's usefullnes.

BajaGringo - 9-20-2008 at 10:00 AM

I have had the pleasure to meet and know two families here in Mexico who are descendants of the Saint Patrick brigade. Both families are extremely proud of their heritage, valor of their ancestors and place in history. No need to politicize this or demean the folks who gave their lives for something they believed in.

I honor them as well...

Oso - 9-20-2008 at 10:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by udowinkler
"THE HEART OF A FOOL IS IN HIS MOUTH, BUT THE MOUTH OF A WISE MAN IS IN HIS HEART."[i/]
Benjamin Franklin

I consider OSO a wise man (or wiseman) for sticking with this group and regularly posting intelligent information that we can all share in it's usefullnes.


Gracias por la flor.:tumble:

Funny the article only mentioned San Angel where they were hanged or branded and not Parque Sullivan, downtown off Reforma. Many of the surrounding streets have Irish names. When I lived in the DF, the park was known for Sundays when it became an outdoor gallery for struggling artists to sell their work.

Baja-Brit - 9-20-2008 at 11:02 AM

I recently read this article, you may be interested:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Patrick%27s_Battalion

The battalion also consisted of German, Canadian, English, French, Italian, Polish, Scottish, Spanish, native Mexican and Swiss immigrants.

As you were.

[Edited on 20-9-2008 by Baja-Brit]

Martyman - 9-25-2008 at 09:36 AM

Interesting story (i'd never heard it before) thanks for posting it.

Fascinating book on the subject

thebajarunner - 9-25-2008 at 04:33 PM

http://www.amazon.com/Saint-Patricks-Battalion-James-Alexand...

Once this book gets rolling you will not put it down,
It is not only good history, it is also a good story,
I highly recommend it.