thanks for the references and comments, all.

I have been in touch a few times with Ed Miller on this subject; we've compared notes. I wrote a song for his last album (not in time, though) about a young Scots woman who was a battlefront nurse in the US Civil War.

I believe the UT San Antonio resources will be worth while. I've been trying to locate Dr John Brendan Flannery who wrote a great history called the Irish Texans (published by UT press). I have found lots of great stuff in that book.

Streets of Laredo is no doubt, one of the Unfortunate Rake, Bard of Armaugh even Saint James Infirmary Blues series of related songs.

I'll b researching a number of suggestions/thoughts from this theread. Thanks y'all.