Mexican War
See also: Roman Catholic Archdiocese for the Military Services, USAShortly after the Mexican-American War began in 1846, many Irish Catholic immigrants joined the U.S forces in Mexico. The religious needs of these soldiers were not being met. In a discussion between the President of the United States of America, James K. Polk and Archbishop John Hughes of New York, it was decided that for the first time, Roman Catholic priests would join U.S. Army forces as chaplains. Father McElroy and Father Anthony Rey were selected by the Archbishop and were sent to Mexico and joined General Zachary Taylor’s army in Matamoros on July 5, 1846, during the Mexican-American War.
McElroy, then 64, stayed at the base camp in Matamoros, tending to the casualties, saying Mass and hearing confessions. In May 1847, McElroy was withdrawn from Mexico due to continuous illnesses. Father Rey died for his efforts at the hand of guerrillas.
Read more about this topic: John Mc Elroy (Jesuit)
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