Fort Quitman (2)

Fort Quitman (2) (1861-1862) - A small Confederate U.S. Civil War Fort established in 1861 on Gran Caillou Bayou, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. Named Fort Quitman after John A. Quitman, former Governor of Louisiana. Captured by Union forces after the fall of New Orleans in April 1862 and renamed Fort Butler. Abandoned later in 1862.

History of Fort Quitman

A small Confederate earthworks fort established in 1861 on Bayou Grand Caillou "a few acres below the intersection of Bayou La Butte...." The fort was armed with two smoothbore 32 pounder cannons and garrisoned with companies A and G of the 22nd Louisiana Volunteers. The fort was placed to prevent a Union advance on New Orleans through the bayou.

Sources differ about the naming sequence with most indicating that it was first named Fort Butler and later Fort Quitman but that seems unlikely since Union General Benjamin F. Butler played a significant role in the capture and occupation of New Orleans. The fort was abandoned by the Confederates in May 1862 after the capture of New Orleans, then occupied by Union forces and presumably renamed Fort Butler by them. Abandoned later in 1862.

Current Status

Actual site location is unknown and the map point is for Bayou Grand Caillou to give a general reference point.

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Location: Gran Caillou Bayou, Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana. The actual fort location is unknown. The map point does not indicate the fort site only the bayou. Maps & Images Lat: 29.21578 Long: -90.8739825 Multi Maps from ACME Maps from Bing Maps from Google Elevation: 7'

Sources:

• Roberts, Robert B., Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States, Macmillan, New York, 1988, 10th printing, ISBN 0-02-926880-X, page 349.

Links:

• North American Forts - Fort Quitman

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