Sebastião de Arriaga
Sebastião José de Arriaga Brum da Silveira was a Portuguese military commander.
Early career
Arriaga enlisted at the age of nineteen as an ensign in the Infantry company of Fortaleza de Santa Cruz, Faial Island, in The Azores, later transferring to Artillery.Peninsular War
As a captain, Arriaga commanded one of the two batteries brigaded under Major [Alexander Alexander Dickson (British Army officer)|Dickson (British Army officer)|Alexander Dickson] that accompanied Beresford's Army to Estremadura, and saw action at the Battle of Albuera. The following September–October, his company was one of the two Portuguese Artillery companies that formed part of Hill's forces, together with Lefebure's RHA Troop, Hawker's and Meadows's Royal Artillery Companies.Major Arriaga's 24-pounder howitzer battery, belonging to the 1st Regiment, formed part of the Artillery Reserve, and accompanied Wellington's own army to the siege of Badajoz, Salamanca, and the siege of Burgos.
Arriaga's Portuguese artillery company, together with Glubb's British company, and who brought with them six 24-pounder howitzers, a pontoon train, and wagons carrying some 30-foot ladders for escalading work, were attached to Dickson's detachment for the raid at Battle of Almaraz.
For his action at the Battle of Vitoria, Major Arriaga, commanding the 1st Artillery Brigade, was mentioned in dispatches by the Commander of the Portuguese Artillery, Lieutenant colonel Dickson, Wellington's "most trusted artillery officer", for making "good and accurate fire" and averaging fifteen shots per gun.
Arriaga's 1st Brigade took part in the Siege of San Sebastián as part of Dickson's siege artillery, and was again mentioned in dispatches by Dickson.
Arriaga later saw action the Battles of the Nive.