During the Mexican-American War roughly 9,000 American soldiers deserted the army. Many had only signed up for the promise of free land and an advanced 3 months pay. Some felt that the war was unjust and wanted no part of it. The government of the United States imposed harsh punishments for those that left the army before their enlistments expired, and officers were very strict on those that were caught leaving.
The conditions in the military during the War were rough. Thousands of soldiers died from drinking contaminated water. Cholera and malaria spread very quickly through military camps. Commanding officers were often well educated men from West Point and the Virginia Military Institute who had difficulties disciplining their men. At times Mexican homes and villages were looted by drunken American soldiers while innocent civilians were murdered and women raped.
Irish and German soldiers found military life very challenging. The immigrants were often persecuted by officers as well as other enlisted men. Catholics were forbidden to worship while they were serving. Some immigrants began to feel that the war was only being fought to expand slavery and make the plantation owners of the South richer.
The Irish saw the similarities between the treatment of the American treatment of the Mexican and how the British treated the Irish in Ireland. The British were a Protestant nation like the United States, that took Catholic property and destroyed Catholic Churches in Ireland. Some Irish and German soldiers felt that they should come to the assistance of Catholic Mexico.
The Mexican government had been actively seeking support from American deserters. Mexican soldiers were often militia who were drafted into serving the government. These men were mostly farmers, not professional soldiers. The Mexican government also made promises of land and money for those who fought. Mexican priests had published pamphlets encouraging Catholics to come to Mexico's assistance against the Protestant U.S.
John Riley, an Irish immigrant from Galway had encouraged his fellow Irishmen to abandon the U.S. and fight for Mexico. Riley's soldiers became known as the Saint Patrick's Battalion or San Patricos. The Battalion was considered to be one of the best for the Mexican army, earning a large amount of medals for various battles. Santa Anna himself was to have said that he could have won the war if he only had 100 more Irish soldiers. 
The Battalion was captured following the battle of Churubusco, outside Mexico City. 48 men that were captured were found guilty of treason and sentenced to death. General Taylor ordered that the execution take place on September 12th at dawn, just as the American flag was being raised above the city of Churubusco. Taylor wanted the sight of the American flag to be the last image the traitors would see, brining that image to hell with them. Typically, soldiers who were found guilty of treason were executed by firing squad, a more honorable death then hanging. Hanging was only reserved for spies, the worst type of punishment for the lowest class of soldier. The deserters were branded with the letter "D" on their cheek. A punishment that they were to carry for the rest of their lives.
The U.S. military did not formally acknowledge the Saint Patrick's Battalion until 1916. The actions of the Irish and German immigrants was considered a black mark in the history of the U.S. army. The members of the battalion that were not executed disappeared from history. Appearing only in records regarding the purchase of land. In Mexico and Ireland they are considered martyrs, dying for a cause. On September 12th, in Galway, the flag of Mexico is flown above city hall in honor of those that gave their lives for Mexico. In Mexico City the day is remembered with bagpipes and the laying of a wreath on a memorial dedicated to the Irish martyrs.
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