Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias

Luís Alves de Lima e Silva, Duke of Caxias (* 1803 in Rio de Janeiro, † May 8, 1880 ) was a Brazilian marshal. 1851 won Lima as commander in chief of the Brazilian Army major successes against Rosas, the dictator of Argentina. In Caseros Montevideo and he could defeat him. For this he was appointed marshal and Marquis.

After he had been in 1857 and 1861/62 War Minister and Prime Minister, he received in 1867 the supreme command of the armies of Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay in the fight against Paraguay. After prolonged battles he succeeded early in 1869 to take the capital Asunción. Shortly afterwards, however, he had the supreme command - that give to the Count of Eu, son of the Brazilian Emperor Don Pedro II - allegedly for health reasons.

Alves de Lima was raised to the Duke and 1873 appointed Vice-President of the Supreme Military Tribunal. On 25 June 1875 he again took over the chairmanship of the War Department, but resigned in January 1878.

Luis Alvez de Lima died on 8 May 1880 in Rio de Janeiro.

He was a member of the League of Freemasons.