João Tomás de Cantuária

João Tomás de Cantuária (24 September 1835 – 20 March 1908) was a Brazilian field marshal who served as Minister of War under presidents Prudente de Morais and Campos Sales.

Biography Born in Porto Alegre, Cantuária enlisted in the military in March 1854, joining the 1st Horse Artillery Regiment in São Gabriel. He was promoted to second lieutenant in December 1857 and completed his fourth year at the Military School, graduating from the artillery course.

In the old Military School of Praia Vermelha, Cantuária studied mathematics and physics before attaining the rank of first lieutenant in 1860. In December 1862, he graduated as a civil engineer from the same school.

In 1864, Cantuária fought in the Uruguayan War. That same year, he partook in the Mato Grosso campaign, serving on a commission of military engineers and later being assigned to command an artillery corps. For his actions, he was elevated to captain in January 1866 and to major in November of the same year. He participated in the retreat from Laguna as an artilleryman. Following the end of the war, Cantuária was made a knight of the Order of Avis.