Quitman is a city in and the county seat of Clarke County, Mississippi, United States, along the Chickasawhay River. The population was 2,323 at the 2010 census.

History

Quitman was established in 1839 and named as the county seat. During the Civil War, a hospital built with funds raised in Galveston and Houston, among other places, was built there for the care of Confederate soldiers from Texas. Originally staffed by Louis Bryan with supplies purchased in Mexico, he was joined, and later supplanted, by Enos Bonney, a surgeon from Enterprise, Mississippi, who stayed until the hospital was burned down. Though it cared for troops from any state, the hospital was colloquially known as "The Texas Hospital." Wounded soldiers from the Second Battle of Corinth, Battle of Iuka, Battle of Jackson, Tennessee, and more local engagements, as well as those suffering from wartime diseases, were treated at the hospital. A cemetery was established adjacent to the hospital for those who succumbed to disease or wounds. During General Sherman's Meridian Campaign, Brigadier General Walter Q. Gresham, Commander of the Third Brigade, Fourth Division, 17th Army Corps, was detached and sent to Quitman to destroy bridges crossing the Chickasawhay river and through Alligator Swamp, as well as any other infrastructure that could be of any use to the Confederacy. The force arrived at Quitman and proceeded to burn the town jail, courthouse, various stores, the railroad depot, and the Methodist Church, which was being used as a hospital. Troops then burned down the entire Texas Hospital complex, which included two main buildings as well as twelve to fifteen barracks. The hospital was never rebuilt. Quitman was officially recognized by the Mississippi Legislature on February 13, 1839, and was named for the second Chancellor of the State, Gen. John A. Quitman, a strongly pro-slavery politician, leading Fire Eater, veteran of the Mexican–American War.

Geography

Quitman is located near the center of Clarke County. Mississippi Highway 18 passes through the center of the city. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 15.3 km2, of which 13.4 km2 is land and 1.9 km2, or 12.28%, is water.

Climate

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 2,061 people, 897 households, and 619 families residing in the city.

Education

The city is served by the Quitman School District. The county is in the zone for Jones College.

Notable people