Luis Alves de Lima e Silva

(1803–1880) fought as a young officer in the Brazilian War for Independence against Portugal. Caxias instructed Pedro II in swordsmanship and horsemanship, and eventually became his friend. During the infancy of Pedro II, the governing regency faced countless rebellions throughout the country. Caxias commanded loyalist forces suppressing these uprisings. The Brazilian army prevailed under his command against the Argentine Confederation in the Platine War (1851). A decade later, Caxias led Brazilian forces to victory in the Paraguayan War. As a reward he was raised to duke. The Emperor appointed him Prime Minister in 1856. He briefly held that office again in 1861, but fell when his party lost its parliamentary majority. In 1875 he headed a cabinet for the last time.