July 2nd - A Story of Liberty

By César Costa

July 2nd - A Story of Liberty

This is a work of fiction based on the facts that occurred during numerous events of the liberation movement in Bahia. The fictional characters that appear here represent the thousands of anonymous heroes and heroines who were as important and decisive for the Brazilian victory as those who had their names highlighted and perpetuated in the beautiful history of determination and will of the Bahian people.

         It is also a tribute to those who gave up their prominent position to fund and fight alongside men considered inferior for the common good. Let every reader understand that the liberation process came not only from the cry of a sovereign, but from the blood, sweat and struggle of many good Brazilian citizens. That the men who wrote this story were not perfect, but preferred to overlook their imperfections so that this continental nation could become free and today could walk under the motto: Order and Progress.

• Language: English
• Publisher: César Costa
• Release date: Sep 19, 2019
• ISBN: 9781071510704

Book preview

Introduction

This is a work of fiction based on the facts that occurred during numerous events of the liberation movement in Bahia. The fictional characters that appear here, mixed with so many real and important figures of the independence process, represent the thousands of anonymous heroes and heroines who were as important and decisive for the Brazilian victory as those who had their names highlighted and perpetuated in the beautiful history of Bahia's bravery and will for a better, sovereign and free nation.

This work is also a tribute to those who gave up their prominent position in colonial society and their relative comfort to finance and fight for the common good alongside those men considered inferior. May our youth be mirrored in such brave men and thus walk forward to rebuild this nation and elevate it to the rightful place it is entitled to in the world.

Let each reader understand that the liberation process came not only from the cry of a sovereign, but from the blood, sweat and struggle of many good Brazilian citizens scattered not only throughout the Bahian Province, but also throughout the national territory; that the men who wrote this story were not perfect, but preferred to overlook their personal imperfections and desires so that this continental nation could become free and today could walk under the motto: Order and Progress.

Chapter 1

Mario Magalhães Sobreira, born in 1799, in the village of Cachoeira, in the province of Bahia, was another Brazilian among many others. He moved with his parents, Manuel Filgueiras Sobreira and Anita Marcondes Ferrão Magalhães, to Salvador in 1813, after new opportunities in the Capital. From an early age, he had been involved in the political and social affairs of the Empire and was very interested in the national cause. He was an introvert boy, though clever and ready to prank his parents. However, its greatest feature was the nationalist spirit. Convinced that he was doing great service to his homeland, he joined the Brazilian army in 1820. During the first months of heavy training, he stood out for his careful use of firearms, bayonet fighting and close body combat with the opponent.

Throughout his first year of service in the army, Sobreira or Maso, as he was known by his colleagues of the same rank, made a great friendship with the Portuguese Joaquim Fernão Romão, the soldier Romão. Since joining the army, Sobreira had been assisted by his Lusitanian friend in his training. Romão was a young man born in the Algarve in 1797. From a poor family, he made a living as a porter at the fairs, as well as punishing the unsuspecting. Chased by a betrayed husband, he saw no alternative but to clandestinely embark on a ship to Brazil. Thus, he arrived in the country three years before his incorporation and, when he was discovered, chose to serve the Brazilian Royal Army in order to escape a more severe penalty.

Despite the exhausting routine and strict army rules, both Brazilian and Portuguese were pleased with their work. Romão was happy that he no longer had to live on blows and the Brazilian for being close to the men who commanded the Province. Many times, Maso risked long conversations about the empire and the political future of the nation, to which Romão always answered with one: Shut up, you fool! The boy was funny and seemed not to care.

With greater involvement in the political situation of the country, Sobreira was thrilled to learn that Prince Regent, Dom Pedro, had refused to receive orders from Portugal to return to the headquarters of the Empire on January 9, 1822. Romão, as a Lusitanian that he was, found such an act of rebellion against the Portuguese Royal Crown absurd. However, since he was not an example of good conduct, he could not condemn the monarch's attitude at all.

In the middle of February 1822, something happened that would change the fate not only of the brave soldier Sobreira, but of the entire Bahian province. One beautiful night with a full moon, Maso was on duty when Brigadier Manoel Pedro de Freitas Guimaraes, Governor of Bahia's Arms, stormed furiously into his office, followed by the messenger who had brought him the warning note.

This is an absurd, an affront! The Brigadier shouted, tossing the note on his desk.

What awaits the Portuguese Crown with such an improper act?

The messenger looked at the Brigadier and stood upright without speaking to him. He didn't know if the Commander really expected an answer, or if the question was just rhetorical. When in doubt, he chose to remain silent until his statement was expressly requested. Sobreira, who had been in the courtyard a few minutes earlier, approached the Brigadier's office and stood at attention by the door as if on guard duty. His real intention, however, was to find out why Brigadier Manoel Pedro was so angry.

The Commander opened a drawer of his desk, took a quill and began to write a short note which he handed to the messenger, dismissing it and ordering it to be taken to the addressee. The soldier left in such a hurry that he did not even notice Sobreira standing at the entrance of the room. Visibly dismayed, Brigadier Manoel Pedro de Freitas Guimaraes left his office, closing the door behind him. Sobreira immediately saluted, but was ignored by the commander. The soldier stood at attention for a few moments until the Brigadier walked away, then relaxed and walked across the courtyard. Sobreira could swear he had fought his curiosity, but finding himself alone and not resisting the enormous temptation, he crept to the Governor's office and took the paper that had once been left on the table.

The soldier clapped a hand over his mouth, for what was on that piece of paper puzzled him. The letter stated that Brigadier Manoel Pedro de Freitas Guimarães should be replaced by Portuguese Brigadier Inácio Luís Madeira de Melo, as Governor. The note also said that the change would take effect immediately upon receipt. Leaving the paper carefully where he had taken it, the soldier left the room, making sure no one saw him, and on his way to the courtyard, put himself back on guard, longing for the dawn.

Dawn came and Sobreira, being surrendered on duty, went immediately to the quarters where he would meet his friend Joaquim Romão. Of course, the Portuguese soldier was no longer there, as was the rest of the troop. Sobreira, unrestrained in his eagerness to share his disastrous news with his uniform buddy, went to the training grounds where he would surely find him. As he found his friend, he rushed to give him the news, but he got annoyed by Romão's answer.

Finally, the Portuguese crown made a worthy decision! It was about time we had a commander who knew what he was doing. Spoke the Portuguese Soldier.

How can you say such a blunder, Romão? Surely the Brazilian officials will not agree to such an affront and will rebel against the Crown!

And what worries us Portuguese the opinion of your people? You are a bunch of fools who know nothing about running and how to organize a true government. All your politicians do is imitate the Portuguese in the exercise of their functions. Teased the Lusitanian.

Are you crazy, Romão? Most of the army is either Brazilians or people who consider themselves as such. You have to worry and a lot, besides, we have great officers. We did learn from the Portuguese, but I think this is one of those situations where the student overcame the master. Replied Sobreira.

I have no doubt, you really must have a fever. Do you mean that they surpassed the masters? The Portuguese are trained and better prepared soldiers than the Brazilians! You don't even have the hundredth part of our combat experience. The Portuguese Soldier sounded insolent.

Don't you see that this can cause serious political problems? Much has been said about independence! Several groups have already gathered in the dark to debate a rising against the King. Such facts can easily become the trigger for revolt! Not that I don't want independence, but I think everything should be done in order. Listen to what I say, the Governor will never accept such disrespect peacefully. Sobreira took on a serious tone.

Why, Maso, stop saying silly things! There you come with your policies! You're just a rank soldier! You don't understand anything! What could you know about politics and what do Brazilian officials think? Do you think they have your little reasoning to deliberately turn against the Portuguese crown and start a coup? Romão mocked.

I may not have such a big, evolved mind, but remember that between us two I have the biggest hand! Sobreira slapped his Portuguese friend on the face, causing him to spin and fall to the ground.

Turning around and stamping his heels, the Brazilian soldier stepped back, leaving behind the Lusitanian who remained completely unresponsive on the floor, just smoothing the spot where he had taken the blow. Still annoyed by the boldness of his Portuguese friend, the Brazilian soldier returned to the barracks to wash and