Charles Jacques Villeré facts for kids

Charles Jacques Villeré (born around 1828 – died January 7, 1899) was a politician from Louisiana. He served in the Congress of the Confederate States for two terms during the American Civil War. He was also the brother-in-law of a famous general, P. G. T. Beauregard, whose first wife was Villeré's sister.

Early Life and Education

Charles Jacques Villeré was born in St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, which is in Louisiana. He came from a very important French Creole family in southern Louisiana. His father, Jules Villeré, was a sugar cane planter. His grandfather, Jacques Villeré, was even the second governor of Louisiana.

Charles went to St. Mary's College in Baltimore and graduated with high honors. After college, he returned to New Orleans to study law. He became a lawyer in 1849. However, he liked farming more than being a lawyer. So, he decided to manage his family's plantation in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana.

Early Political Career

In 1852, Villeré became involved in politics. He was chosen to be part of the state's special meeting to write a new constitution. At the same time, he was also made the district attorney for Plaquemines Parish.

He served two terms in the Louisiana State Legislature, starting in 1854. In 1856, he was chosen as an elector for James Buchanan during the presidential election. This meant he helped cast votes for the president.

Serving in the Confederacy

When Louisiana decided to leave the United States on January 26, 1861, Charles Villeré supported the new Confederacy. He even gathered a group of soldiers on horseback to help.

However, before he could fight, he was elected to the 1st Confederate States Congress. He represented Louisiana's 1st district. In Congress, he worked on important groups dealing with money, trade, and military matters.

In 1863, the governor of Louisiana, Henry Watkins Allen, gave Villeré a special title as a colonel in the Confederate States Army. He was also chosen again to serve in the 2nd Confederate States Congress. Both times he was elected, he won by only a small number of votes.

Villeré's Time in Congress

While in the Confederate Congress, Villeré strongly believed in a powerful central government. He wanted to make the government in Richmond, Virginia, stronger.

However, he had a disagreement with Jefferson Davis, who was the Confederate President. This happened after General P. G. T. Beauregard, Villeré's brother-in-law, was removed from his command in 1862. Villeré wrote a paper criticizing President Davis's choice. He defended his brother-in-law's actions during the Battle of Shiloh.

Villeré later voted against several of President Davis's trusted advisors. This included General Braxton Bragg, the Secretary of the Treasury Christopher Memminger, and the Secretary of the Navy Stephen Mallory.

Life After the War

After the Civil War ended, Charles Villeré mostly stayed out of public life. He was known as Colonel Villeré.

He only returned to public work after his brother-in-law, General Beauregard, passed away in 1893. Villeré then took over Beauregard's job as the supervisor of the Louisiana State Lottery Company.

Charles Jacques Villeré died at his home in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, on January 7, 1899. He was buried in the Army of Tennessee Tumulus at Metairie Cemetery.