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Fort Morris cannons to roar for ‘Military Throughout the Ages’
0525 Fort Morris
Fort Morris State Historic Site - photo by Photo provided.

Join Georgia State Parks & Historic Sites, Fort McAllister, and the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Morris Historic Site as they salute the nation’s military with a timeline event of shared military history. There will be artillery and small arms demonstrations from different campaign eras throughout the day.

The event, “Military Throughout the Ages,” will take place Saturday, January 21, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Fort Morris Historic Site, 2555 Fort Morris Road.

When the Continental Congress convened in 1776, the delegates recognized the importance of a fort to protect their growing seaport from the British. Soon afterward, a low bluff on the Medway River at Sunbury was fortified and garrisoned by 200 patriots.

When the British demanded the fort’s surrender on November 25, 1778, the defiant Col. John McIntosh replied, “Come and take it!” The British refused and withdrew back to Florida.

Forty-five days later, they returned with a superior force, and on January 9, 1779, Fort Morris fell after a short but heavy bombardment.

Under the name of Fort Defiance, this bulwark was again used against the British during the War of 1812, and Sunbury’s harbor was guarded by armed barges.

Today, visitors can stand within the earthwork remains and view the scenic Saint Catherines Sound. A museum and film describe the colonial port of Sunbury and the site’s history.

Visitors may borrow binoculars and a field guide to go birding. Downy woodpeckers, pileated woodpeckers, goldfinches, wood storks, painted buntings, great egrets and many other coastal species can be seen.

The cost is $10 per person. For more information contact www.gastateparks.org/fort morris

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