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. First named Fort Butler and renamed Fort Quitman after John A. Quitman, former Governor of Louisiana. Captured by Union forces in May 1862 after the fall of New Orleans in April 1862. 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 (6) and later Fort Quitman but as unlikely that seems (Union General Benjamin F. Butler played a significant role in the capture and occupation of New Orleans), that appears to be the case. The fort was abandoned by the Confederates in May 1862 after the capture of New Orleans, then occupied by Union forces. The naming is further complicated by another Union Fort Butler (5) in Louisiana. This fort was 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. {"selectable":false,"width":"500"} 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 location. Maps & Images Lat: 29.19073 Long: -90.9239 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. Peña, Christopher G., Scarred by War: Civil War in Southeast Louisiana, Author House, Bloomington, Indiana, 2004, ISBN 1-4184-5544-X (e), 515 pages. Bill Thayer's Website - History of New Orleans by John Kendall, Chapter 6, page 270. Links: North American Forts - Fort Quitman Visited: No