Antônio João Ribeiro (1823-1864) was a Brazilian Lieutenant who served in the

War of the Triple Alliance The Paraguayan War (, , ), also known as the War of the Triple Alliance (, , ), was a South American war that lasted from 1864 to 1870. It was fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. It wa ...

and was notable for his sacrifice in the Battle for Colônia Militar dos Dourados.

Military career

He was the son of Manoel Ribeiro de Brito and Rita de Campos Maciel, he joined the

Imperial Brazilian Army The Imperial Brazilian Army ( Portuguese: Exército Imperial Brasileiro) was the name given to the land force of the Empire of Brazil. The Brazilian Army was formed after the independence of the country from Portugal in 1822 and reformed in 1889, ...

as a volunteer soldier in 1841 in Batalhão de Caçadores Nº 12, where he was promoted to corporal and sergeant. As a result of his professional performance, character and dedication, he was promoted to Lieutenant, in 1852, and to Second Lieutenant, with honors, in 1860, thus reaching the officership being appointed commander of the Colonia Militar dos Dourados, in the then Province of

Mato Grosso Mato Grosso ( – ) is one of the states of Brazil, the List of Brazilian states by area, third largest by area, located in the Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West region. The state has 1.66% of the Brazilian population and is responsible ...

. The Military Colony of Dourados was not located in the city of

Dourados Dourados is a city and municipality, situated in the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso do Sul, Southwest of Campo Grande (the state's capital). It has a population of about 225,000 inhabitants, and its economy is based mainly in arable agriculture ( ...

, but where the city of Antônio João is today. In December 1864, as a lieutenant of the cavalry weapon, at the head of a small force of 15 men, he led the defense of the province against the Paraguayan invasion, in a number many times greater, under the command of Major

Martín Urbieta Martin may refer to: Places Antarctica * Martin Peninsula, Marie Byrd Land * Port Martin, Adelie Land * Point Martin, South Orkney Islands Europe * Martin, Croatia, a village * Martin, Slovakia, a city * Martín del Río, Aragón, Spain * Mart ...

. When he learned of the enemy's approach, he had the civilians evacuated and resisted until he succumbed in combat, defeated by the Paraguayan rifles. Before dying, he sent the following message to his commander, which became famous: "I know that I am dying, but my blood and that of my companions will serve as a solemn protest against the invasion of the soil of my Homeland."

Legacy

In his honor, a statue commemorating this heroic act was erected at

Urca Urca is a residential neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with a population of nearly 7,000. Although most of the neighborhood dates from the 1920s, parts of it are much older. What is now called the Fortaleza de São João (Rio de Janeiro), F ...

Rio de Janeiro Rio de Janeiro, or simply Rio, is the capital of the Rio de Janeiro (state), state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the List of cities in Brazil by population, second-most-populous city in Brazil (after São Paulo) and the Largest cities in the America ...

. Antônio João was also honored in the main square of

and was mentioned in the anthem of

Mato Grosso do Sul Mato Grosso do Sul ( ) is one of Federative units of Brazil, Brazil's 27 federal units, located in the southern part of the Central-West Region, Brazil, Central-West Region, bordering five Brazilian states: Mato Grosso (to the north), Goiás and ...

and also takes his name from the city where he died. Antônio João bravely honored the Imperial Army Officer Corps and due to the example of commitment to the Homeland, demonstration of bravery, moral grandeur and detachment with his own life, he was chosen by the Institution, through Decree No. 85,091, of 24 August 1980, as the Patron of the Auxiliary Staff of Officers (QAO) of the

Brazilian Army The Brazilian Army (; EB) is the branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible, externally, for defending the country in eminently terrestrial operations and, internally, for guaranteeing law, order and the constitutional branches, subordina ...

. The group of Sergeants of the Brazilian Army formed in 1991 is named TURMA TENENTE ANTÔNIO JOÃO, in honor of the distinguished patron of the QAO.

Military career

Legacy

References

Further reading