In 1808,
Portugal's Royal Family had sought refuge in
Brazil during the
Napoleonic Wars. On June 10, 1808, Dom João VI
declared war on France and sent 470 soldiers to French Guiana to bring support to the
Royal Navy. On January 12, 1809, these troops had conquered the
Cayenne, capturing
Guiana`s governor. The Portuguese maintained a presence in Guiana until 1817. In 1815,
Brazil's status was elevated to The
United Kingdom of Portugal, Brazil and the Algarves. The Portuguese troops in Brazil, some of which had already been previously stationed there, all united under the direct command of the Brazilian Ministry of War, and thus in honor of the victory in the Cayenne, the artillery battery which was deployed there was officially renamed as the Cayenne Battery. == See also ==