{"product_id":"shamrock-and-sword-the-saint-patricks-battalion-in-the-usmexican-war-9780806129648","title":"Shamrock and Sword: The Saint Patrick's Battalion in the U.S.-Mexican War","description":"\u003cp\u003eThis fascinating true story about war  intrigue  defection to the enemy  and brutal military justice is a dramatic example of the conflicts that frequently arise between humanitarian values and inflexible military regulations.  Shamrock and Swords setting is the U.S.-Mexican War  remembered by Americans as an illustration of Manifest Destiny  the inevitable extension of the American frontier. It is remembered differently by Mexicans  who lost a substantial portion of their territory to an invading army. Perceptions on both sides of the border will be reshaped by Robert Ryal Millers account of American soldiers who deserted to fight in the Mexican army. Miller uncovers the reasons for these desertions  presenting the soldiers stories as they are revealed in records of the time. Many of these deserters were immigrant Irishmen.  Contrary to what has been supposed  however  the Saint Patricks Battalion included men of a dozen nationalities. Choosing for different reasons to fight under the Mexican flag  all were treated as deserters  and those captured were court-martialed by the U.S. Army. Fifty were executed; others were whipped and branded. The leader of the group  John Riley  was branded with a D on both cheeks. The Mexican government  on the other hand  viewed the men of the Saint Patricks Battalion as heroes  awarding them honors and erecting a monument to them.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45666361147445,"sku":"ByrdShop_0806129646","price":55.9,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780806129648.jpg?v=1782429791","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/shamrock-and-sword-the-saint-patricks-battalion-in-the-usmexican-war-9780806129648","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}