On this day in history: François Charette

François-Athanase Charette de la Contrie was born on this day in 1763.  Charette was born to noble parents in Couffé, a commune in the Loire-Atlantique department in western France.  He served in the French Navy, notably in the American War of Independence. A soldier and politician, he was also one of the leaders of the Vendéan Revolt. Charette was wounded during a battle with General Lazare Hoche's men but still manged to escape. Eventually captured near Le Logis de la Chabotterie, he was taken to Nantes where he was sentenced to death. He died heroically by firing squad. Charette is mentioned in the book The Story of the War in La Vendée and the Little Chouannerie by George Hill and is a character in my novel, Silence in the Mist.

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