QUITMAN, John Anthony, soldier and fifteenth governor of Mississippi (1850-51), was born at. Rhinebeck, N. Y., Sept. 1, 1799, son of Dr. Frederick Henry and Anna Elizabeth (Huecke) Quitman. His father (q. v.) was a Lutheran divine and his mother was a daughter of the Dutch governor of Curaçao, West Indies. His father intended for him for the ministry and he studied at Hartwick Seminary, Otsego County, N. Y., and after graduating there in 1816, became tutor in its classical department. He afterwards taught at Mount Airy College, Germantown, Pa., and in 1819 he went to Ohio, where he studied law. Removing two years later to Natchez, Miss., he engaged in planting, and soon gained a great repute and influence. From the first he identified himself with various societies for the suppression of dueling, gambling, and other vices, and notwithstanding his northern birth, he became southern to the core, and throughout his public career appeared as the typica1 representative of the views of his adopted state. He was elected to the legislature in 1827, was chancellor of the superior court, 1828-34, member of the constitutiona1 convention of 1832, and chairman of its legislative committee, and in 1835 president of the senate and for a short time acting governor. He fought for the independence of Texas in 1836, was afterwards major-genera1 of Mississippi militia, and in 1839 was elected judge of the court of errors and appeals. Commissioned brigadier-general of U.S. Volunteers by Pres. Polk July 1, 1846, he rendered gallant and notable services under Taylor and under Scott. He was in the battle of Monterey and marched from Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico, during which campaign he was in many daring exploits. On the morning of Sept. 13, 1847, his division assaulted the castle of Chapultepec. Dashing across the plain they carried the batteries that they found on their route, forced their way up the side of the steep hill on which that ancient fortress stood, in the face of a destructive fire and having gained the summit, carried the castle by assault, and thus secured the key to the City of Mexico. In the afternoon of that day Gen. Quitman led his division in an attack on the Belen Gate, which they carried at the point of the bayonet and his troops were the first within the city walls. He received the surrender of the citadel and was appointed by Gen. Scott civil and military governor of the city--"the only American who ever ruled in the halls of the Montezumas." For his distinguished services in the Mexican War congress voted him a sword and he received the brevet of major-general. On his return he was elected governor of Mississippi, in November, 1849, and served from January, 1850, to February, 1851, when he resigned. A warm adherent of the annexation schemes so much in favor in those days, he was indicted in the U.S. court, while filling this office for promoting the designs of Gen. Narciso Lopez on Cuba, and to avoid collision between the federal and state authorities he resigned his post. The jury being unable to agree, he was released, and the same year was again nominated for the executive office by the states-rights Democrats, but he withdrew from the canvass. At this time he asserted the right of secession and the desirableness of forming a confederacy of the slave-holding states, thus anticipating by nearly ten years the action which led to the civil war. During 1856-60 he was in congress and served as chairman of the military committee. Gov. Quitman was a man of high and pure character, noble presence, winning manners, great popularity, and a fearless and consistent advocate of the extremest southern views. He was married in 1824 to Eliza, daughter of Henry Turner, of Fairfax county, Va. He died at Natchez, Miss., July 17, 1858. His "Life and Correspondence," edited by J. F. H. Claiborne, appeared in two volumes in 1860.