Fort Morris facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Fort Morris
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Earthworks in the distance
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 Location in Georgia (U.S. state)
Location in the United States
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| Location | Near Midway, Georgia |
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| Nearest city | Midway, Georgia |
| Area | 7 acres (2.8 ha) |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000208 |
| Added to NRHP | May 13, 1970 |
Fort Morris is an old fort made of earth in Liberty County, Georgia. It sits right on a curve of the Medway River. This fort was super important for protecting southeast Georgia for many years. It was used in different wars, starting in 1741 and ending in 1865. These wars included the French and Indian War, the American Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812.
The whole historic area is about 70 acres (28 ha) big. It's also about 23 feet (7.0 m) above sea level. On May 13, 1970, Fort Morris was added to the National Register of Historic Places. Today, it's a state park called the Fort Morris Historic Site.
Contents
Fort Morris: A Look at Its History
Early Days: French and Indian War Era
The very first fort here was built in 1741. It was made to protect a large farm, called a plantation, owned by Captain Mark Carr. He had 500 acres (200 ha) of land given to him by the Georgia Trustees. Captain Carr was a leader in the British Colonial Army.
On March 18, 1741, his farm was attacked by Native Americans. These groups were allies with the Spanish forces in Florida. Several soldiers defending the fort were killed. The attackers took everything from the fort and farm using a large boat.
Another fort was built here in 1756. Local people wanted it because they were being attacked by Creek Indians during the French and Indian War. The fort got even bigger in 1758. This was to protect a new town called Sunbury, which was built on Captain Carr's land. The fort was a square, with each side measuring 100 yards (91 m). Governor Henry Ellis said the fort had eight cannons. But by 1762, the fort was falling apart.
Defending Freedom: The American Revolution
The American Revolutionary War brought a new need to protect the Medway River and Sunbury. The Continental Congress decided to build two forts in Georgia. One was in Savannah, and the other was at Sunbury. Fifty artillery soldiers were sent to the area. Fort Morris was built near Sunbury. It was used as a base for attacks on British Florida. It also helped defend Sunbury and other places up the river.
The American forces could never fully control Florida. It had become a safe place for loyalists, who were people loyal to Britain. The British Governor Patrick Tonyn of East Florida wanted to invade Georgia. His plan included loyalists from Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina. Native American allies and British soldiers were also part of the plan.
The British quickly took Savannah in 1778. Then they moved toward Sunbury and Fort Morris. A small group of British soldiers tried to take Fort Morris on November 25, 1778. About 200 American soldiers were inside, led by Colonel John McIntosh. When the British demanded they surrender, McIntosh famously shouted, "Come and take it!" The British decided not to attack that day and left.
They came back in January 1779 with a much larger force. Fort Morris was attacked on January 9, 1779, and taken by the British the next day. We don't know exactly how many lives were lost. Historians believe fewer than twelve American soldiers died, and even fewer British. The British renamed the fort Fort George. They held it until September 1779. Then, the soldiers at the fort were sent to Savannah to help defend it.
After the British left, American forces took the fort again. They found it empty with only a few broken cannons. But they only held it for a month. The British took it back in October. Fort Morris (or Fort George) stayed under British control until 1782.
Later Conflicts: War of 1812 and Civil War
After the Revolution, the fort again fell into disrepair. But the need to defend Sunbury and the river came up again during the War of 1812. A new fort, called Fort Defiance, was started on the same spot in 1814. However, the war ended before it could be finished.
Fort Morris and Sunbury played a small part in the American Civil War. A small group of Confederate soldiers might have used the fort. When General William T. Sherman led his March to the Sea, many Union soldiers came to the area. They took some cannons from the fort in 1864. These cannons were moved to Union-controlled forts on the Atlantic coast.
Photos
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Earthworks of the fort
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Historical marker
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Cannon
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Musket demonstration
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Cannon from Fort Morris on display at the Liberty County Courthouse
