[4] For the revolutionaries, the battle of Porongos resulted in the death of 110 supporters of the republic, the arrest of 333 men - 35 of them officers -, five banners, a cannon, utensils, archives, and more than 1000 horses.

[3] The term Ragamuffin ("Farroupilha") refers to the popular combatants that composed the troops, who were known for wearing ragged clothes (known as "farrapos"), although the political leadership was represented by sectors of the local agrarian elite.

The rio-grandenses, as the provincial authorities were called, accused the Central Government of harming their economic interests, mainly by allowing charque from Uruguay to enter the Brazilian market at a lower price.

Rio Grande do Sul had contributed by sending men to help Brazil in the wars with the platinos peoples, but still, the leadership of the troops was assigned to someone from outside.

Until the year 1840, there was a period of farroupilha ascension, given the victories in the military field, although there were moments of failure, such as the defeat in the Battle of Fanfa Island, in October 1836.

[6] In this clash, the rebellious group acquired great power as the conflict unfolded, mainly due to the removal of Bento Gonçalves from the government in August 1843.

At the end of 1841 and the beginning of 1842, concomitant with the installation of Pedro II as Emperor of Brazil, the power to direct the War went into the hands of the "Minority".

Lima e Silva was acclaimed "pacifier of Brazil" and acquired the title of Count of Caxias, which was attached to the presidency of the Rio Grande do Sul Province.

[citation needed] The battle of Porongos occurred in November, and at the end of the war there was still uncertainty as to whether or not the confrontation was arranged with the imperial army.

The authenticity of the letter was questioned, likely having been forged to demoralize Canabarro, at the time one of the most important military leaders of the Riograndense Republic and one of the peace negotiators on the farrapos side.

Those who believe in the forgery of these writings argue that the Porongos episode was a surprise for all the members and such a letter was written to generate tension to destroy the group.

[citation needed] On March 1, 1845, the agreement was signed and among the main points, a highlight is the full amnesty to the survivors of the battle of Porongos, the liberation of the slaves who fought in the Army, and the choice of a new provincial president by the farrapos.

[10] They were recruited among the slave champions and tamers of the Tapes and Herval Mountains, located between the municipalities of Canguçu, Piratini, Caçapava, Encruzilhada, and Arroyo Grande, with the promise of liberation after the farrapos' victory.

Besides being soldiers and defenders of the farrapos, the blacks also worked as muleteers, messengers, and helped in the manufacture of gunpowder and the cultivation of tobacco and yerba mate, appreciated by the group.