Irish and German Mercenary Soldiers' Revolt

Mercenary Revolt
Date June 9–11, 1828 Location Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Result Revolt suppressed
Belligerents
Empire of Brazil Kingdom of France United Kingdom	Irish mercenaries German mercenaries
Commanders and leaders
Dom Pedro I	August von Steinhousen
Strength
Effective military police of Rio de Janeiro: 1,000 Brazilian Recruits 600 French Marines 400 Royal Marines	3,000+
Casualties and losses
120 dead 180 wounded	240 dead 300 wounded

The Irish and German revolt in Brazil was a revolt of German and Irish people in 1828 during the Cisplatine War of 1825–1828. The immigrants, who were recruited in their homelands to come to Brazil, discovered that the promises made to them by the Brazilian government were not fulfilled. In the revolt, the Irish and Germans took control of large parts of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Citizens of the town and troops from French and British warships suppressed the revolt.

The Cisplatine War (1825–1828) between Brazil and Argentina over Cisplatina (now Uruguay), was not going well for either side. An Argentine land victory on the plains of Cisplatina was offset by Brazil's effective Rio de la Plata naval blockade.

Dom Pedro I, the Brazilian emperor, sent Colonel William Cotter back to Cotter's native Ireland to recruit Irish mercenary soldiers. Cotter arrived in early January 1827, no mention was made to the Irish of their being recruited as mercenaries. Instead it was suggested that they would be needed to join a militia in Brazil but that this would not interfere with their farming endeavors.

Advertisements were run in local newspapers, and notices were posted on numerous church doors, mainly in County Cork and in County Waterford. The Colonel promised free passage, free land – 50 acres for each family, six shillings per day, and military training (local militia only). No mention of the war against the Argentinians was ever made.

Almost 3,000 mostly poor and illiterate people quickly volunteered to make the long and dangerous sea voyage. Some sold what little they owned to buy farm implements for their new life in Brazil. Most apparently did not realize that they had been recruited to fight as mercenaries. 2,700 people actually showed up on sailing day, and boarded the nine ships anchored in Cork Harbor.

The first ship sailed for Rio de Janeiro in August 1827, and the rest of the fleet soon followed.

...
Wikipedia