Editing Saint Patrick's Battalion (section)

===Buena Vista===
{{Main|Battle of Buena Vista}}
They then marched northward after joining a larger force commanded by [[Antonio López de Santa Anna]] sent from Mexico City, the "liberating army of the North". At the [[Battle of Buena Vista]] (known as the battle of Angostura in Mexico) in [[Coahuila]] on 23 February, the Patricios became engaged with U.S. forces. They were assigned the three heaviest—18 and 24 pound—[[cannons]] the Mexican army possessed, which were positioned on high ground overlooking the battlefield, at the base of a hillside (just below what is now a gravel mine).{{sfn|Cave|2013}} They were later described as "a strong Mexican battery ... moved ... by dint of extraordinary exertions ... [that] commanded the entire plateau".{{sfn|Smith|1919a|p=391}}

They started the battle supporting Mexican infantry by firing on U.S. lines as the Mexicans advanced on them, then later decimating an artillery battery directly opposite them on the battlefield (Washington's 4th Artillery, D Battery). A small number of {{lang|es|San Patricios}} were dispatched with a [[Division (military)|division]] commanded by [[Manuel Lombardini]] with the express purpose of capturing the 4th's cannons once the crews had been dealt with. As the division got close enough they charged the artillery battery, bayoneting whoever remained and [[rout]]ing the rest, leaving the attached {{lang|es|San Patricios}} free to haul away two six-pound cannons.{{sfn|Stevens|1999|p=195}} These cannons would later be used by Mexican forces at the [[Battle of Contreras]].{{sfn|Downey|1955}}

In frustration U.S. Commander [[Zachary Taylor]], referring to the Saint Patrick's Battalion, ordered a [[Squadron (cavalry)|squadron]] of the [[1st Cavalry Regiment (United States)#Mexican–American War|1st Dragoons]] to "take that damned battery".{{sfn|Stevens|1999|p=193}} In this task they failed, and, badly bloodied, were forced to retreat.{{sfn|Downey|1955}} At about 1 p.m. the {{lang|es|San Patricios}} covered a Mexican retreat as a disordered mass of infantry sought refuge during a lull in the fighting.{{sfn|Smith|1919a|p=393}} The {{lang|es|San Patricios}} rode out the day in a costly artillery duel with several American batteries,{{sfn|Smith|1919a|p=395}} which killed or injured roughly one third of them.{{sfn|Fogarty|2005}} General Francisco Mejia's Battle Report for Buena Vista described the {{lang|es|San Patricios}}' as "worthy of the most consummate praise because the men fought with daring bravery."{{sfn|Paredes|2010}} Several Irishmen were awarded the [[Military decorations of Mexico#War Cross|War Cross]] by the Mexican government for their conduct in that battle, and many received field promotions.{{sfn|Fogarty|2005}}{{sfn|Hogan|2006}}