Fort Morris Cannon State
Historical Marker
Located at the Liberty County Courthouse,
Hinesville, Ga.
(Text)
FORT MORRIS
CANNON
This small cannon was a part
of the armament of historic Fort Morris at Sunbury during the
American Revolution. In November, 1778, a superior British force
from Florida under Colonel Fuser of the 60th Regiment besieged
the Fort. To the ultimatum to surrender the American Commander,
Colonel John McIntosh, sent back the laconic reply: "COME
AND TAKE IT". The enemy thereupon abandoned the siege and
retired southward. In January, 1779, the British returned to
Sunbury by water. Fort Morris was then under the command of Major
Joseph Lane of the Continental army. Ordered by his superiors
to evacuate Sunbury following the fall of Savannah, Lane found
reasons to disobey and undertook to defend the post against the
overwhelming British force under General Augustin Prevost. After
a short but heavy bombardment the Fort surrendered on January
9, 1779, with its garrison of 159 Continentals and 45 militia.
This cannon, which was excavated
at the site of the ruins of the famous Revolutionary fortification
in 1940, stands here as a reminder of America's hard-won struggle
to achieve Independence.
089-22 GEORGIA
HISTORICAL COMMISSION 1958
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