Jon Riley, also known as John O'Riley, (February 8, 1824 – October 10, 1879), a United States Army private, was one of the several hundred immigrant Irishmen who defected from the US Army to fight for Mexico in the 1846-48 war. Prior to his desertion, he served in Company K of the 5th US Infantry Regiment. Riley deserted before war was declared, because of the attitude of discrimination, and mistreatment of Irish Catholics in the US Army, and the...
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Jon Riley, also known as John O'Riley, (February 8, 1824 – October 10, 1879), a United States Army private, was one of the several hundred immigrant Irishmen who defected from the US Army to fight for Mexico in the 1846-48 war. Prior to his desertion, he served in Company K of the 5th US Infantry Regiment. Riley deserted before war was declared, because of the attitude of discrimination, and mistreatment of Irish Catholics in the US Army, and the policy against Roman Catholics in general, so avoided Execution following the court martial held in Mexico City in 1847.
Riley and Patrick Dalton formed the Batallón de San Patricio, (St. Patrick's Battalion) or the San Patricios. They fought at several battles and finally at the Battle of Churubusco, on the outskirts of Mexico City, where several were captured and the rest disbanded. However, units of the now disbanded battalion went on to fight at the Battle for Mexico City.
Riley married a German lady by the name of Lomlimak Fostenberg....
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