Latin America
Chile
Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme was born in Chillan, Chile on 2th August 1778. His mother was a prominent local citizen and his father was an Irish born officer in the Spanish army, Ambrosio O’Higgins who later became Viceroy of Peru. Influenced by the ideas of American independence while studying in London, Bernardo O’Higgins returned to Chile and joined the rebels fighting against Spain. In 1814 his army was defeated by the Spanish but in 1817 he led the army that defeated Spain and a year later Chile was proclaimed a Republic. O’Higgins was the first President of Chile but was deposed by the land owning elite in 1823 and was exiled to Peru where he died on 24 October 1842. Some years later his body was re-buried in Chile.
Argentina
Admiral William Brown was born in Foxford in County Mayo on 22nd June 1777. When still a child, his family emigrated to Pennsylvania, USA. He became a seaman. At some point during the Napoleonic Wars, he joined or was forced to join the British Navy and was captured by the French. On his escape he went to live in Montevideo, Uruguay and became a merchant trader in Uruguay and Argentina . During the nineteenth century, Argentina was a destination for many Irish migrants.In 1814 War broke out between Argentina and Spain and Brown was appointed commander of the fledgling Argentine navy. His small force defeated the superior Spanish vessels in the River Plate.Later he commanded the Argentine navy against the Brazilians in the War of 1825-1827.Brown visited Foxford, his birthplace in1847 and was a generous benefactor to Irish Famine relief, then at its heightBrown died on 3rd March 1857 and is buried in Buenos Aires. A community project in Foxford dedicated to William Browns generosity has been set up to fight child poverty in Argentina and the statue pictured here is situated in Foxford, County Mayo
Mexico
The San Patricio Battalion was a regiment of foreigners who fought on the side of Mexico during the 1846-48 War with the United States of America. Although the regiment had Germans, Scots and other European nationalities in their ranks, the majority of the soldiers were Irish born. Many were deserters from the American army. The reasons for desertion included ill treatment of Irish Catholics by American officers, atrocities committed against Mexican civilians and promises of land grants by the Mexican government. Many also felt that the war against Mexico was unjust.
Having fought with Mexicos Foreign Legion in earlier battles, the San Patricios first fought under their own name at the Battle of Monterrey (September 1846) as an artillery unit which broke up several American assaults., although the Americans won the battle eventually. They also fought at Buena Vista (February 1847) where they suffered heavy casualties.
In 1847 the San Patricios became an Infantry Battalion under Mexican command (Col Moreno) and the two companies were led by John Riley and Santiago O'Leary. The first engagement as an infantry unit was at Cerro Gordo (April 1847).Their final battle was at Churubusco Convent (20th August 1847). As they could not expect to be treated as prisoners of war, the San Patricios fought until their ammunition was totally exhausted. In the battle 35 were killed, 85 taken prisoner and another 80 managed to retreat with the Mexican army.
Two separate military trials were convened and 50 San Patricios were sentenced to flogging and death by hanging by the Americans. Around 30 (including John Riley the commander) were flogged and branded with the letter "D" (deserter) on their faces. Only two were found not guilty on the basis that they had never joined the American army.
Thirty of the executions took place on 13th September 1846 at the Battle of Chapultepec at the precise moment the American flag replaced the Mexican flag on the Mexican headquarters.
The street in front of the Santa Maria Convent in Churubusco is named Mártires Irlandeses (Irish Martyrs). The San Patricios are regarded as national heroes in Mexico. They were largely unknown in Ireland until 1997 when the Irish and Mexican governments recognised them by jointly issuing a postage stamp to commemorate them. In John Rileys home town (Clifden, County Galway) the Mexican flag flies every day and in 2004, a statue dedicated to Riley and the San Patricios was unveiled in Clifden.
Having fought with Mexicos Foreign Legion in earlier battles, the San Patricios first fought under their own name at the Battle of Monterrey (September 1846) as an artillery unit which broke up several American assaults., although the Americans won the battle eventually. They also fought at Buena Vista (February 1847) where they suffered heavy casualties.
In 1847 the San Patricios became an Infantry Battalion under Mexican command (Col Moreno) and the two companies were led by John Riley and Santiago O'Leary. The first engagement as an infantry unit was at Cerro Gordo (April 1847).Their final battle was at Churubusco Convent (20th August 1847). As they could not expect to be treated as prisoners of war, the San Patricios fought until their ammunition was totally exhausted. In the battle 35 were killed, 85 taken prisoner and another 80 managed to retreat with the Mexican army.
Two separate military trials were convened and 50 San Patricios were sentenced to flogging and death by hanging by the Americans. Around 30 (including John Riley the commander) were flogged and branded with the letter "D" (deserter) on their faces. Only two were found not guilty on the basis that they had never joined the American army.
Thirty of the executions took place on 13th September 1846 at the Battle of Chapultepec at the precise moment the American flag replaced the Mexican flag on the Mexican headquarters.
The street in front of the Santa Maria Convent in Churubusco is named Mártires Irlandeses (Irish Martyrs). The San Patricios are regarded as national heroes in Mexico. They were largely unknown in Ireland until 1997 when the Irish and Mexican governments recognised them by jointly issuing a postage stamp to commemorate them. In John Rileys home town (Clifden, County Galway) the Mexican flag flies every day and in 2004, a statue dedicated to Riley and the San Patricios was unveiled in Clifden.
