Siege of Salvador (1822–1823)

The siege of Salvador occurred during the Brazilian War of Independence, during which the newly formed Brazilian army, under the command of French general Pierre Labatut, attempted to capture the city of Salvador in Bahia from its Portuguese defenders. The siege lasted from 2 March 1822 until 2 July 1823, finally ending when the Portuguese commander, Madeira de Melo, surrendered his forces to the Brazilians.^[4]

Madeira de Melo's proclamation to the inhabitants of Bahia one week before the siege, 21 February 1822

Siege of Salvador
Part of the Brazilian War of Independence
Entrada do Exército pacificador na Leal e Valorosa cidade capital da província de Bahia. Lithograph by Bento Capinam, c. 1830, depicts the triumphal entry of the Brazilian army into the capital of the province of Bahia
Date 2 March 1822 – 2 July 1823 Location Salvador, Bahia, Brazil 12°58′29″S 38°28′36″W Result Brazilian victory
Belligerents
Empire of Brazil	Kingdom of Portugal
Commanders and leaders
Pierre Labatut Lima e Silva	Madeira de Melo
Strength
At the beginning: 1,500[1] At the end: 14,000[2] Ships:[3] 1 ship of the line 3 frigates 2 corvettes 3 brigs 1 charrua 1 brig-schooner	At the beginning: 3,000[1] At the end: 10,500[2] Ships:[2] 1 ship of the line 2 frigates 8 corvettes 2 brigs 1 charrua 1 smack
Casualties and losses
750 killed 280 wounded[citation needed]	2,500 killed 700 wounded 300 captured[citation needed]

Notes

1. Rodrigues 1975, p. 206.
2. Rodrigues 1975, p. 218.
3. Maia 1975, pp. 72–74.
4. Diégues 2004, pp. 162–167.

References

• Rodrigues, José Honório (1975). Independência: Revolução e Contra-Revolução – As Forças Armadas. Rio de Janeiro: F. Alves.
• Diégues, Fernando (2004). A revolução brasílica. Rio de Janeiro: Objetiva.
• Maia, Prado (1975). A Marinha de Guerra do Brasil na Colônia e no Império. Rio de Janeiro: Cátedra.