"Manifest Destiny and a pervasive Anglo-based American ethnocentrism were powerful impulses prodding mid-19th century politics, resulting in the nation's imperialistic designs on Mexico and the U.S. precipitation of the Mexican-American War. Critics of the war included, among others, two future 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 Battalion. In this superb study, the author explores the motivation of these Irishmen, their valiant contribution to the Mexican cause, and the consequences for them when captured, including military courts-martial and, in some instances, execution by hanging."--Review by Prof. Donald Baker, American Studies Program, Southampton College, quoted on p. [4] of cover.