Manifest Destiny and a pervasive Anglo-based American ethnocentricism were powerful impulses prodding mid-19th century American politics, resulting in the nation's imperealist designs of Mexico and U.S. precipitation of the Mexican-American War. Critics of the war included, among othes, two future U.S. presidents, Lincoln and Grant; and within the U.S. Military, there were over 9,000 deserters. Among the latter were Irish Americans, many of whom, for diverse reasons (discrimination against the Irish in the U.S., anti-Catholicism) joined the Mexican military, forming the Saint Patrick's Batallion. In this superb study, the author explores the motivations of these Irishmen, their valiant contributions to the Mexican cause, and the consequences for them when captured, including military courts-martial and, in some instances, execution by hanging.

- Prof. Donald Baker, Director American Studies Program,
Southampton College
Author of Race, Ethnicity and Power