Second Battle of Guararapes
Guararapes hills, Jaboatão dos Guararapes, near Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil
What happened
Portuguese-Brazilian forces under Francisco Barreto, with leaders including the Indigenous commander Filipe Camarão and the Black commander Henrique Dias, fought the army of Dutch Brazil under Colonel Brinck. The Dutch had ruled north-eastern Brazil for years, and local people rose against them. In 1649 a Dutch army marched out of Recife expecting an attack along the coast roads. Instead the Portuguese-Brazilian forces came through the wetlands and hills, attacked their flank, and after several hours the Dutch retreated, leaving their cannons behind.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It was the decisive battle of the uprising, and the Dutch came to believe Dutch Brazil had no future. The battle is seen in Brazil as an important step in the creation of the Brazilian Army.
What came next
The Dutch stayed in Recife until 1654.
Did you know?
The army that won was a mix of Portuguese, Indigenous Potiguar and Black soldiers, each with their own commanders.
Timeline
- April 1648The First Battle of Guararapes.
- 19 February 1649The Second Battle of Guararapes.
- 1654The Dutch leave Recife.