Fort Morris State Historic Site
Georgia’s “Come and Take It!” Fort — Revolutionary War Earthworks, 1778 Defiance, Sunbury Seaport, Nature Trails, Birding, St. Catherines Sound Views in Liberty County
Fort Morris State Historic Site is a 66-acre state historic site at 2559 Fort Morris Rd, Midway, Liberty County, Georgia. The site preserves Georgia’s only Revolutionary War earthworks — where Colonel John McIntosh famously replied “Come and take it!” to British surrender demands in 1778 — featuring a museum with exhibits on colonial Sunbury, nature trails, birding on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, scenic views of St. Catherines Sound and the Medway River, and interpretive programs.
Fort Morris guards one of the most defiant moments in the American Revolution. On November 25, 1778, when British forces demanded surrender of the fort protecting Sunbury — then Georgia’s second most important seaport after Savannah — Colonel John McIntosh issued the legendary reply: “Come and take it!” The British initially withdrew but returned in January 1779 with overwhelming force and captured the fort. During the War of 1812, the site was refortified as “Fort Defiance.” Today, the original earthwork fortifications are remarkably well preserved — Georgia’s only Revolutionary War site with surviving earthworks. A museum tells the story of Sunbury’s rise and fall, and nature trails wind through 66 acres of coastal landscape with excellent birding along the Colonial Coast Birding Trail.
Things to Do
Revolutionary War History
- Original earthworks — only Rev War earthworks in GA
- “Come and take it!” story — 1778 defiance
- Museum — exhibits, film, colonial Sunbury history
- Fort Defiance — War of 1812 reuse
Nature & Birding
- Nature trails — 66-acre coastal setting
- Colonial Coast Birding Trail
- St. Catherines Sound views
- Medway River overlook
Park Information
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | 2559 Fort Morris Rd, Midway, Liberty County, GA 31320 |
| Acreage | 66 acres |
| War | American Revolution + War of 1812 |
| Famous Quote | “Come and take it!” — Col. John McIntosh, Nov 25, 1778 |
| Earthworks | GA’s only surviving Revolutionary War earthworks |
| Museum | Exhibits, film — colonial Sunbury + military history |
| Birding | Colonial Coast Birding Trail |
| Views | St. Catherines Sound, Medway River |
| Camping | NOT available |
| Coordinates | 31.7679° N, 81.2812° W |
Best Time to Visit
| Season | Highlights | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Fall (Oct–Nov) | ⭐ BEST: Comfortable weather; bird migration; living history events; clear views | Check event calendar for special programs |
| Spring (Mar–May) | Migratory birds; wildflowers; pleasant weather; interpretive programs | Pollen; mosquitoes near marsh |
| Winter (Dec–Feb) | Cool; quiet; wintering birds; clear skies; solitude on earthworks | Shorter hours; cool; verify schedule |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Full hours; longest days; educational programs | Hot and humid; mosquitoes; bring water + insect repellent |
Visitor Tips
- “Come and take it!”: Colonel McIntosh’s defiant reply in 1778 is one of the most famous quotes of the American Revolution — later echoed by Texans at the Battle of Gonzales (1835).
- Only earthworks: Fort Morris has Georgia’s only surviving Revolutionary War earthworks — walk the original fortification lines.
- Sunbury ghost port: Sunbury was once Georgia’s second-largest seaport — today nothing remains of the town itself, making the fort its sole memorial.
- Birding: The site is on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail — bring binoculars for marsh and shorebird viewing.
- Combine: Fort Morris is ~30 miles south of Savannah — combine with Midway Museum (adjacent) and Fort Frederica (St. Simons Island) for a colonial Georgia tour.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wildlife & Nature
Fort Morris SHS — preserves the earthwork remains of a Revolutionary War fort on the Medway River. When the British demanded surrender in 1778, Colonel John McIntosh replied with the famous defiance: “Come and take it!” — a phrase that became a rallying cry of American resistance. The site’s salt marsh and maritime forest support osprey, wood storks, and painted buntings.
Nearby Attractions
Midway — adjacent — has the Midway Congregational Church (1792). Sunbury — adjacent — once a major colonial port. Fort King George SHS — 30 miles south.
What is the history of Fort Morris in Georgia?
Fort Morris State Historic Site in Midway, Liberty County, Georgia, preserves the only surviving Revolutionary War earthworks in the state. On November 25, 1778, when British forces demanded surrender of the fort protecting the seaport of Sunbury, Colonel John McIntosh famously replied “Come and take it!” The British returned in January 1779 and captured the fort. It was later refortified as Fort Defiance during the War of 1812. The 66-acre site features a museum, nature trails, birding on the Colonial Coast Birding Trail, and views of St. Catherines Sound.
Last updated: May 2026
