Emídio Dantas Barreto (1850-1931) was a Brazilian army marshal, military historian, journalist, novelist and playwright. He was born in Bom Conselho, and at the age of 15, enlisted as volunteer in the Paraguayan War. He was decorated for his service, and in 1868, he was promoted to officer. After the end of the war, he returned to Brazil and took an artillery course at the Military School in Rio de Janeiro. He took part in the Canudos campaign, where his efforts were crowned with promotion to Colonel.
