Hinesville in Liberty County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)
Fort Morris Cannon
Photographed By Mike Stroud, July 2008
1. Fort Morris Cannon Marker
Inscription.
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.
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.
Erected 1958 by Georgia Historical Commission. (Marker Number 089-22.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles
Location. 31° 50.864′ N, 81° 35.764′ W. Marker is in Hinesville, Georgia, in Liberty County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street and West Court Street, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Located at the Liberty County Courthouse. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Hinesville GA 31313, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 13, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. This page has been viewed 1,877 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 8, 2008, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
