Antônio Carlos de Mariz e Barros

Antônio Carlos de Mariz e Barros (7 March 1835 – 28 March 1866) was a Brazilian soldier, combatant in the Uruguayan Campaign and in the Paraguayan War. Mariz e Barros was the son of chief of squad Joaquim José Inácio, the viscount of Inhaúma, and his wife, Maria José de Mariz Sarmento. He studied at the Brazilian Navy Academy, having reached the rank of first lieutenant.

Mariz e Barros temporarily commanded the yacht Paraibano, and effectively the gunboat Campista and the corvettes Belmonte, Recife, and the battleship Tamandaré, gaining prominence on the battlefield during the Uruguay Campaign, where he carried out a successful raid on Paysandú and another against the Sevastopol fort. He was awarded the Order of the Rose after accompanying emperor Pedro II on his journey to the North and the Legion of Honor for saving a French barge that was about to sink on the rocks of the .

Mariz e Barros died at 1 am on 28 March 1866, during the Paraguayan War. His death occurred as a result of injuries resulting from the explosion caused by one of the cannon projectiles fired by the that hit Tamandaré'''s casemate. Before dying, he suffered an amputation during which he would have smoked a cigar. In his honor, the Municipal Chamber of Rio de Janeiro changed the name of Nova do Imperador Street, in the neighborhood of Tijuca, to Mariz e Barros on 16 November 1874. The corvette Mariz e Barros was also named in his honor, in addition to two destroyers.

Biography

Early years Mariz e Barros was born on 7 March 1835, at Imperatriz Street, in the city of Rio de Janeiro. He was the son of chief of squad Joaquim José Inácio de Barros and his wife, Maria José de Mariz Sarmento, viscounts of Inhaúma. He initially studied in the schools of Messrs. Alphonse de Morcenq, Antônio Maria Barker, Francisco José Borges and also at the São Pedro de Alcântara School, all in the vicinity of Imperatriz Street, where he was born, in the center of Rio de Janeiro. After that, following his father's example, he joined the Navy Academy and became an aspirant on 14 June 1849. He was promoted to midshipman on 16 November 1852; second lieutenant on 31 March 1855 and first lieutenant on 2 December 1857. During his period as a midshipman, he was sometimes praised for his activity and fearlessness during times of danger. His first command was on the yacht Paraibano, acting as interim captain, and effectively the gunboat Campista and the corvettes Belmonte, Recife, and the battleship Tamandaré.

Later years

While commanding a naval division and the corvette Belmonte'', Mariz e Barros escorted emperor Pedro II on his trip to Northeastern Brazil and was decorated with the habit of the Order of the Rose. He was also awarded the Knight's Cross of the Legion of Honor for saving a French barge that was about to sink on the rocks of the Fortress of Laje.

With the beginning of the Uruguayan Campaign, Mariz e Barros was assigned to the battlefront, gaining notoriety by making a successful raid on the stronghold of Paysandú. During this offensive, he provided defense, under orders from Joaquim Marques Lisboa, to Boa Vista. He also received the support of a detachment of one hundred soldiers from the First Infantry Battalion, commanded by lieutenant Eduardo Emiliano da Fonseca, again mounting a successful offensive against the Sebastopol fort. At midnight of that day, convinced that he would die, he sent a message to his father through the doctor who was treating him that he "always knew how to honor his name". Mariz e Barros died at 1 am on 28 March at the age of 31, with Dionísio Manhães Barreto assuming command of the vessel.