The monument in honor of the Santa Catarina people who died in the Paraguayan War was inaugurated in 1876 at Praça XV in the city of Florianópolis, the capital of the state of Santa Catarina. The work was intended to be named the “Commemorative Column,” but it became known as the monument to the 51 Santa Catarina natives who died in the Paraguayan War (1864-1870).
In total, around 300 soldiers were recruited by the Empire in Santa Catarina to fight alongside Argentina and Uruguay against the Paraguayans. On each of the four sides of the pedestal, there is a red marble stone, measuring 2 meters in length by 1 meter in width, with the following inscriptions:
“This simple monument was erected by the patriotism of the people of Santa Catarina in commemoration of the glorious Paraguayan campaign in which many sons of their province paid Brazil the tribute of life. During the reign of H.M. EMPEROR D. PEDRO II, it was begun during the presidency of His Excellency Dr. JOÃO THOME DA SILVA and completed during the presidency of His Excellency Dr. ALFREDO D’ESCRAGNOLLE TAUNAY, in the year 1876.
BLESSED IS THE HOMELAND THAT DOES NOT FORGET ITS SONS!
SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES DAMASIO L P. DE MENDONÇA. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES THEOPHILO FRANCISCO DA S. VIEIRA. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES CANDIDO JOAQULNI DA SILVA. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES FRANCISCO J. FERREIRA DE FIGUEIREDO. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES PATRICIO SEPULVEDA ENVERARD. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES RODOLPHO CAVALCANTI DO LIVRAMENTO. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES JOÃO MANOEL STUART. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES JESULNO DE SANTANNA CARPES. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES FRANCISCO LUZ DE BITTENCOURT. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES JOÃO BAPTISTA BECKER. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES FRANCISCO MARIA DE ASSIS. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES SILVANO ALVES DE SOUZA. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES JOSÉ DA SILVA BASTOS.
SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES JACIVIHO CORRÊA DE MELLO. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES JOÃO NEPOMUCENO OLAIA. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES MANOEL DE JESUS COSTA PEREIRA. SECOND LIEUTENANT ALFERES JOÃO A.NTONIO DA ROIA. FIRST LIEUTENANT .ALVARO AUGUSTO DE CARVALHO FIRST LIEUTENANT JOSÉ IGNACIO DA SILVEIRA. FIRST LIEUTENANT DOMINGOS MOREIRA DA SILVA. FIRST LIEUTENANT JOÃO JOSÉ COUTINHO. SECOND LIEUTENANT JOÃO DA SILVA FERNANDES SECOND LIEUTENANT JOSÉ FRANCISCO ALVES SERPA. SECOND LIEUTENANT FELICIANO NUNES AIRES.
The beginning of the war to combat the government of the brilliant ones. Unexpectedly and wickedly attacked. The entire nation of the emperor acted against the Paraguayans. The resurrected Brazilian was immediately seen. Considered by many, not just as a mere citizen, but with his army and navy, with his calmness also for services. The fall of men occurred. From the noblest to the apprentices, and they spent five years in battle. Wounded, far from their homeland, and achieved the victory of peace. This monument was erected to show the true spirit of the people of Santa Catarina and ensure their glory.”
Matheus Araújo
Matheus is an entrepreneur at Araujo Media, where he serves as CEO and Creative Director. He shares analyses on his personal blog "matheusaraujo.me" and is currently pursuing a degree in Advertising and Propaganda. Moreover, he has a passion for history, particularly that of Brazil, which led him to become the founder and editor of the Brazilian History portal.
