A Little Known Piece of U.S. History,
In Honor of My Devout Irish Catholic Friends,
Re-posted for the Approaching Saint Patrick’s Day;
And an Extremely Sad Tale of Religious Persecution,
That I Believe Could Truly Still Serve Us All Well Today
They had fled Ireland by the thousands in the 1840s
To escape the Potato Famine and English domination
And for many of them, joining the United States Army
Seemed to be their best route to freedom and salvation
But unfortunately for these new U.S. Catholic soldiers
The United States Army was predominantly Protestant
So many of them were soon flogged and court-martialed
When caught attending Holy Mass by our U.S. Government
A very disgruntled group of these new Irish Catholic army recruits
Calling themselves the St. Patrick’s Battalion - sadly fled to Mexico
Where they were eventually welcomed by the Catholic Mexican Army
And for bravery in battle were quickly dubbed the valiant San Patricios
When the American Army invaded Mexico in the year 1846
This Saint Patrick’s Battalion fought against the United States
And when the U.S. seized nearly half of Mexico and won the war
Quick court-martials and hangings were now the San Patricios’ fate
Captain John Riley, the stoic leader of this Catholic Saint Patrick’s Battalion
Was flogged, branded with a cattle iron, and forced to watch these executions
He is last seen forlornly heading off into the rugged mountains of old Mexico
His life-long dream of religious freedom for his men, never coming to fruition
On the numerous trips that I have taken down to old Mexico
I’ve noticed the San Patricios are still honored in a revered way
And I’ve spotted many Irish names whenever I’ve journeyed there
So I join Mexico in honoring this valiant St. Patrick’s Battalion today
It seems that mankind’s extremely conflict riddled history
Reveals that religious and ethnic persecution never goes away
Valiant soldiers forced to desert because of religious conviction
Is most certainly a tragic U.S. historical event I would have to say
©2008, Mr. Ed
In 1959, the Mexican government dedicated a commemorative plaque which lists the names of every member of this Irish Catholic battalion who lost their lives fighting for Mexico; either in battle, or by U.S. execution.
And in 1983, a major celebration was held when the Mexican government authorized a special commemorative medallion honoring these men. There was a special Catholic Mass; school children placed floral wreaths on their memorial grave markers; the Mexico City Symphony played the national anthems of both Mexico and Ireland; and Mexican officials eulogized these courageous San Patricios.
Today in Mexico, there are ceremonies honoring the San Patricios twice a year: on September 12th, which is the anniversary of their executions; and, of course, on Saint Patrick's Day.
And beginning in 1993, Ireland began its own annual ceremony honoring the San Patricios in Clifden, Co. Galway, Captain John Riley's birthplace.
If you would like to learn more about them, a 1999 film, One Man’s Hero, starring Tom Berenger as Captain John Riley, tells their extremely sad tale. Although the movie glosses over many historical facts – including our army torching Catholic churches and villages when we invaded Mexico – it does powerfully portray the often extremely tragic results of both religious and ethnic persecution – and still provides a very powerful reminder today.
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And in the name of practising tolerance it is welcome...
Bless your work and writings...Mike
God bless you. Kathy
Newfie Hugs, Rose
Be always safe,
Karen
Funny how hollywood paint the English as the bad guys all the time...
And why is it that on one day of the year nearly everyone claims to be Irish, even though Patrick was English... lol
Thanks for sharing Eddie!!
Love Tinka
Brother, you are one of a kind, we are so lucky to have you in our mist with so much History in your pockets.
Thanks a bunch.
Georg
Fee
Peace,
Dan
over all the suffering they have endured. Endure to this day! This is a history lesson to take to heart! As you so effectively point out, irrespective of race, creed, religion, gender, economic standing or intellectual or employment status, prejudice insists on rearing its
hideous head. I don't suppose that any amount of prayer will stop it, but surely if we work hard enough and utilize our creative powers to the maximum, we can push it down more often. Thank you for
writing and posting this, Ed. For all your efforts to make the
world a better place! xox Pea xox
Christine
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Tx., Karen Lynn. :)
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.