 The long , strenuous walk from Pelotas to Porto Alegre and the hardships endured in the presiganga ruined Marques de Sousa 's health , and he was afflicted with articular rheumatism for the rest of his life . With Porto Alegre safe , he was granted a leave of absence to recover . In the middle of 1837 he traveled to Europe for medical treatment . After a year away , and still feeling ill , Marques de Sousa secluded himself in Porto Alegre . He was brevetted lieutenant colonel on 20 August 1838 . He only returned to active duty in early 1840 after he was made permanent lieutenant colonel on 2 December 1839 and given the command of the 2nd Regiment of Light Cavalry . But the war against the Ragamuffins was still being waged , and Marques de Sousa met and defeated a rebel force in the Battle of the <unk> do Varejão on 16 September 1841 . A new promotion came on 27 March 1842 , when he was given the rank of colonel . 
