San Patricio, Patron Saint of San Patricio Melaque, Jalisco
March 17
St Patrick’s Day in Mexico
Several hundred immigrants deserted from the American Army. The immigrants were primarily Irish but also included Catholic English, French, Canadians, Italians, Poles, Scots, Spaniards and Swiss and together with a few native Mexican formed the Saint Patrick’s Battalion. Even escaped slaves and other disenfranchised Americans joined the Mexican Army that was promising citizenship, land grants and higher wages than the American Government.
The San Patricios were very successful fighters and eventually grew to over 700 men. However the American side proved too powerful and the defeated the Mexicans in the War. They took approximately 1/3 of then Mexico lands in a “negotiated” settlement with President Santa Ana.