The earthwork near Sunbury, in Liberty County, Georgia [Sept. 1975]

A SHORT HISTORICAL STUDY OF THE EARTHWORK NEAR SUNBURY, IN LIBERTY COUNTY, GEORGIA
by Tom Agnew
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Office of Planning and Research Historic Preservation Section Submitted for Review, Sept. 2, 1975

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FOREWORD
This report will attempt to demonstrate and analyze the questions of historic authenticity of the extant earthwork near Sunbury, Georgia. I would like to thank Mr. Roger Durham, Mr. Alston Waylor, and Mr. John R. Morgan, all of the Department of Natural Resources, for their aid in providing much of the information used in this report. I. am indebted to Mr. Roger Durham, Superintendent of the "Sunbury Fort" Historic Site, for providing the information on the Civil War in Liberty County. I also want to thank Mr. Robert Davis for finding the Lane letter in the North Carolina Archives.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Chapter 1: Defense of Sunbury During the American Revolution

1

Chapter 2: Defense of Sunbury Prior !, During and After the

War of 1812

11

Chapter 3: Sunbury During the War Between the States

15

Conclusion ..................................................... 17

Notes .......................................................... 21

Selected Bibliography

27

Appendix

1-a

Photographs

1-b

LIST OF MAPS AND ILLUSTRATIONS (in order of appearance)

Page

(1) Liberty County Highway Map

(2) Geological Survey Map of Limerick Southeast Quadrangle, 1958

(3) Plat of Lot 1, Block G, 1359th Georgia Militia District, Liberty County, 1968

(4) Sketch [Map] of the Northern Frontiers of Georgia, by
Archibald Campbell, 1780 . . . 8

(5) Josiah Powell Plat, 1786

10

(6) Sketch (Map] of Sunbury H.arbor [ca. 1815] . . . 14

(7) Portion of Coastal Area Map [ca.1780] ................... 32a

(8) Photographs of the Earthwork Near Sunbury, Georgia, by
David J. Kaminsky ........ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . lb

PREFACE
Liberty County, on the coast of Georgia, is one of the State's "original" counties. The county is traditionally known as Georgia's "Cradle of Liberty," and according to one of Georgia's historians, C. C. Jones, Jr., was the center of the political activity which led
Georgia into the cause of American liberty. The county was the home
of two of the three Georgia signers of the Delaration of Independence; one of these signers, Lyman Hall, lived in Sunbury, a town on the coast of Georgia in Liberty County.
Sunbury was the scene of considerable military activity and conflict during the American Revolution. The town and port were fortified and garrisoned by patriots from 1776 to June 9, 1779. A part of the defenses constructed in or near the town is referred to in the literature as either "Fort Morris" or Sunbury Fort. C. C. Jones, Jr., in Dead Towns of Georgia, "Sunbury," identified the ruins of the salient earthworks about 100 yards south of the old town of Sunbury as the Revolutionary War fortification, "Fort Morris." The Jones assumption as to the identity and location of "Fort Morris" is the basis of the present research objective (i.e., the authenticity of the extant earthworks near Sunbury ) .

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State of Georgia County of Liberty - l359th G.M.D.

PLAT OF L0'1~ 1, BLOCK "G," FORT MORRIS PARK & THAT CERTAIN AREA SHOilN ON THE SUBDIVISION HAP OF FORT MORRIS PARK AS "FORT MORRIS"

For: GEORGIA EIS'0RICAL COMMISSION

Scale: l"

100'

August 2, 1968

Sewell & Associates, Inc. Architects - Engineers Atlanta - Savannah

1
DEFENSE OF SUNBURY DURING THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION
The defense of the Southern colonies was a primary concern of the Continental Government during the American Revolution. The southernmost rebel colony, Georgia, had one of the longest and most exposed borders, susceptible to invasion or attack on four sides; to the south was British Florida, to the west and north were British Indian allies, and to the east the coast of Georgia was subject to British naval attack.
When the war began, the Georgia patriots1 were in a minority; nevertheless, in March of 1776, the patriots were able to gain a tenuous military and political control of the colony. Being the youngest colony, the political divisions in Georgia were between the old and the young (e.g., Noble Jones, one of the first settlers in Georgia, remained loyal to the Crown, while his son, Noble Wymberly, became a leading patriot; James Habersham, who once served as acting governor of the colony, remained a loyalist, while his three sons sided with the rebels). The patriot government of Georgia was never able to organize a strong military establishment. When the patriots took control of Georgia in 17 76, the total military establishment of the rebel government was one battalion of approximately 800 men. In addition, there were only 2500 men eligible for military duty. The rebel colony possessed no military stores nor funds to purchase them. The congressionally authorized strength of Georgia's Continental troops was 2800; however, the Continental troops in Georgia probably did not exceed 1600 men and these men were recruited from the Carolinas and Virginia. 2

2
From the beginning of the war, both the rebel "state" and Continental governments found it necessary to legislate for the defense of Georgia, the "weakest" of the thirteen colonies.
To protect Georgia from the British in Florida and on the sea, the Continental Congress was concerned about the defense of Georgia's two main ports, Savannah and Sunbury, As early as June 5, 1776, the Second Continental Congress passed a resolution that dealt with Georgia's coastal defense: "it will be necessary that two forts be erected in said Colony, the one at Savannah and the other at Sunbury."3 Congress further resolved that two artillery companies of 50 men each be stationed in both Savannah and Sunbury. 4
The rebel government of Georgia provided for the det'ense at Sunbury prior to the preceding congressional resolutions by ordering commissions for officers to organize a volunteer company of militia in Sunbury. 5 Other government orders were issued and resolutions adopted in 1776 for the defense of Sunbury including the construction of fortifications, but only one of the 1776 orders mentions existing "intrenchments around Sunbury;" on July 8, 1776 the Council of Safety ordered "Col. Baker to hire a number of negroes to finish in a more proper manner the intrenchments about Sunbury."6 The local patriots in the vicinity of the town did try to carry out the Continental and "sJ:~te" governmental orders and build a fort. Thomas Young, a loyalist who was forced to leave Sunbury in 1777, mentioned in his 1785 "Loyalist Claim" several "buildings in Sunbury which [he] has since heard and believes were destroyed by the Americans for the purpose of erecting said Fort in said town ... "7 The

3

town of Sunbury was to become a major cOntinental outpost, headquarters

and military "post" during the Revolution.

One of the primary aspirations of the Georgia patriots was the de-

struction of British East Florida. Between 1776 and 1778, three Florida

expeditions were attempted; all ended in failure. Sunbury was a center of

military activity during all three invasions of Florida. The first planned

expedition, summer of 1776, was led by Major General Charles Lee. The

main body of American troops with the first expedition, according to the British governor of East Florida, Patrick Toyne, did not get past Sunbury. 8

In the spring of 1777, another Florida expedition was attempted. The

second expedition, initially led by General Lachlan Mcintosh and Button

Gwinnett, was later led by Colonel Samuel Elbert. Sunbury is mentioned

numerous times as a point of embarkation and headquarters during the 1777 expedition by Samuel Elbert in his Orderbook. 9 One result of the failure

of the second expedition .that more emphasis seemed to be placed on the

defense of Sunbury. As late as December, 1777, Colonel Elbert was giving

orders for the defense of the town. One order of Elbert's mentions a fort there.

Orders to Captain Defau of the Artillery

Head qrs., Savannah, 5th Dec., 1777 You are to proceed immediately to the town of Sunbury in this state, where are a corps of Continental Artillery posted, which you are constantly to be employed teaching the perfect use of artillery, particularly in the field. Both officers and men are hereby strictly ordered to attend you for the above purpose, at such time, and in such places as you may direct; and the commanding officer of the troops in that place, on you showing him these orders will furnish men to do the necessary duty in town & Fort so that there will be nothing to prevent Capt. Morris, with his company from being perfected in. the business for which they were raised. Such pieces of artillery, as you approve of, have mounted on field carriages; and for this purpose, you are empowered to employ the necessary workmen, and procure materials. Your drafts on me, for every necessary expense, accompanying the vouchers, will be duly honored. I am, sir,

Your most ebedt. servt. (signed) S. Elbert, Col.

Commdg. 10

4
Prior to the third Florida expedition, the Georgia Executive Council tried to hasten the completion of the defenses of Sunbury. On March 25, 1778, the Council ordered that the Resolution of the Congress on June 5, 1776, be carried out "with utmost expedition to complete the Battery and other public works in Sunbury . "11 The third Florida expedition, led by General Robert Howe, did have some degree of success, but by June, 1778, Howe ended the invasion and retired to Savannah. 12
The defenses of Sunbury were still not complete after the third Florida expedition, as a Colonel Graves, in August, 1778~ ~pplied to the Executive Council for "money out of the Treasury for the Fort, Barracks and other works in Sunbury."13 Action by the Council was postponed until a meeting of the Georgia Assembly; however, the Council did order the. Lee Galley to Sunbury on August 27, 1778. 14
The military significance of Sunbury in the Revolutionary War can be attributed to the attacks by the British on the town. Documentation concerning the attacks demonstrated that Sunbury was fortified and garrisoned by 200 men, a large number of patriot troops comparative to the Revolution in Georgia. The original and primary documentation on the last British attack on Sunbury did verify the existence of the Revolutionary fort, Fort Morris. 15
The first documented attack on Sunbury occurred on April 21, 1776. The attack was a naval raid by the British ship H.M.S. Hynd, commanded by a Captain Henry Bryne. The Hynd, anchored off the "Sunberry" River, sent a tender along with other small craft to a creek near Sunbury. In the ensuing attack, the British burned two vessels, a ship supposedly being outfitted as a privateer, and a brigatine. On their return to the Hynd, the

5
British were attacked by rebels on St. Catherine's Island. 16 Sunbury was
to remain a center for naval activities following this attack until its capitulation in January, 1779. 17 This attack may have promoted the establishment of fortifications in Sunbury. 18
The first major British invasion into Georgia occurred in November,
. 1778. The in~ursion from Florida was a two-pronged invasion: one by land,
led by Lieutenant Colonel Mark Prevost, and the other by water, led by a
Lieutenant Colonel Fuser. The Prevost force reached as far as Midway
meeting house while the Fuser invasion penetrated up the Georgia coast to Colonel's Island near Sunbury. 19 General Howe received intelligence re-
lating to the invasions via a letter of John White Qf Savannah on Nov. 21,
1778.
" The number of the Enemy, by every intelligence I have been able to collect, appears to be about 1,100, five hundred of which chiefly horsemen, are come by land; and their party now acting against us waging a most abominable and (neferious) war. They kill, burn and destroy every thing they meet in their way. They have burnt all the House on the other side off Newport Ferry, within 4 miles of Sunbury -- our present stand at Medway Meeting-House where we have intrenched and broke up Causeway leading to it. The Enemy have 4 pieces of artillery with them, and march with Colours flying and Drui:ns beating -in a formidable manner. They are to be joined by 600 Red-Coats who are coming inside by water -with a Galley mounting two 18Ps and a large Flat, under convoy of the Ship George and a Brig of 10 guns called the Spitfire, with her tender; which is all the Naval Force they could muster in St. Augustine.
I have manned the Congress Galley with yolunteers out of the [French?]
Merchantmen, & ordered her south to Sunbury to join the other two Galleys
in order to operate with [men?] .. "20
The large British force of 600 men in the 60th Regiment, under the
command of Colonel Lewis V. Fuser, attacked Sunbury and the fort, but Fuser
was neither able to capture the fort, nor join, as was planned, Lieutenant Co1one1 Mark Prevost I s detachment near Midway, Georg1. a, and had to w1. thd raw. 21
General Benjamin Lincoln, writing in December, 1778, to Henry Laurens,
President of the Continental Congress, mentioned Fuser's unsuccessful siege

6

and attack on Sunbury.

" . The enemy from St. Augustine lately made an excursion into the

heart of Georgia. They demanded the Surrender .of a Small fort at Sunbury,

but [supplied] with the spirited answer given at their summons they left

that neighborhood and on the approach of some of our troops retreated and

recrossed and other

the Altamaha, carrying valuable articles, but

with much

them less

a number than was

of at

negroes, cattle first represent

ed."

22

General Robert Howe, commander of the Continental forces in Georgia

and South Carolina, was concerned about the vulnerability of Sunbury after

the Fuser attack and began to issue orders pertaining to the defense of the

town. A small detachment from Sunbury was sent to Colonel's Island and

another small detachment from the town was sent to protect the Newport

Ferry. Next, Howe ordered Major Joseph Lane, commander of Sunbury, and "Fort Morris" to report his ordinance and supplies. 23 When Savannah was

captured by the British in December, 1778, Sunbury was cut off from the main

force of the Continental Army. Howe ordered Major Lane to retreat; however, Lane did not or could not obey Howe's order and remained in Sunbury. 24

Sunbury and Fort Morris fell to the British on January 9, 1779. The

post was the last coastal garrison of any significance in Georgia to surrender

to the British. There are three accounts of the surrender of Sunbury that. mention and/or describe the fort. 25 General Howe, in testifying at his

own court martial, attempted to justify his order for the evacuation of

Sunbury. Howe described the physical defenses of the town as ''a work too

extensive for five times the number of men, ill-constructed, unfinished, without casemates, and without the least probability of relieving it." 26

Major Joseph Lane, commander of Sunbury and Fort Morris, surrendered "The

whole garrison in numbers 159 Continental Troops as pr. enclosed return and 45 Militia .. " 27 In a letter to Howe, Lane described the fort and

action preceding the surrender.28 (See appendix.)

7
The capitulation of Sunbury was the culmination of a siege lasting three days. The patriot garrison was under fire during this time and Major Lane mentions that, toward the end of the siege, "the S. wing of the Barracks in the fort were soon in flames from the [British] Battery."29 There is also a good account of the "battle of Sunbury" in a report of January 19, 1779, by General Augustine Prevost, who led the successful British siege of Sunbury. '[See appendix for both Augustine Prevost and Joseph Lane accounts of the battle, pages 5A-21A, as well as excerpts from several Revolutionary War pension records.]
The Continental and Militia forces in Sunbury had resisted an overwhelming British army on two occasions, the last proving futile. After the capitulation of Sunbury, the British c.ontrolled the entire coast of Georgia. There is some speculation as to events in Sunbury during the British occupation. The British kept prisoners of war in Sunbury and used the town as a military outpost. 30 The most significant prisoner kept in town was George Walton, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. 31
Several loyalist claims housed in the British Public Record Office contain information relating to loyalist or tories whowere expelled in 1777 from Sunbury, and returned after the British gained control of the town in 1779. Many of the repatriated loyalist were organized into "loyal" military units; several "claims" mention the organization of a "Sunbury Regiment of Loyal Militia."32 Two loyalists' claims mention that Sunbury was partially destroyed when the British evacuated Georgia in 1782, both state that a Lieutenant or a Captain Scallian of the Kings Galley [Arbuthor]
33 "burned" and destroyed all the "stores," many homes, and a wharf in Sunbury.

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During the French and American siege of Savannah in the fall of 1779, most of the British military "outposts" were called in to help defend Savannah. General Augustine Prevost, conunander of the British forces in Savannah, sent on September, 7 and 8, 1779, "Expresses to all outposts to join - Beaufort, Ebenezer, Cherokee Hill, Ogeechee, Sunbury - the latter to dismantle all the fort, and destroy what could not. be carried off. "34 On September 10, 1779, Prevost men'tioned that "Lieutenant Colonel Cruger from Sunbury came by land with all his men able to march." 35 There must have been considerable British military activity in Sunbury during the British occupation.
After the Revolutionary War and prior to the War of 1812, local militia forces may have been stationed in Sunbury from time to time, but there is little evidence of military activity there. One 1786 plat of the vicinity of Sunbury has been located that mentions .a "Fort Bulwark.n36
The 1786 plat of Josiah Powell is the only tangible histor:ic evidence so far discovered which identifies a fortification on or near the "Fort Morris" site the State now owns. This evidence alone is inconclusive but does demonstrate the possible existence of fortifications in Sunbury in 1786 (see. plat on following page).

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DEFENSE OF SUNBURY PRIOR TO, DURING, AND AFTER THE WAR OF 1812
No military engagements took place in Sunbury during the War of 1812; however, the town and vicinity were defended periodically by troops. 37 In February of 1815, at least one company of artillery, commanded by a Captain Hamilton, was headquartered in Sunbury after the Treaty of Ghent which ended the War. 38
Prior to the War of 1812, the United States Army Engineers, the forerunner of the Army Corps of Engineers, was searching for and establishing defensive positions along the coast of Georgia. In 1808, Alexander Macomb, in a dispatch to the Secretary of War on the various defenses along the Southern Atlantic coast, reported that he could not .find in Sunbury "any one position that was advantageous for the Battery proposed in my instructions" and further indicated that no fortifications were in Sunbury by recomme:nding ''some heavy pieces mounted on travelling [sic] carriages" for the defense of the town. 39 At the beginning of the War of 1812, Captain William McRee sent a report concerning the defenses of Sunbury to a Colonel Swift. The McRee letter substantiates the 1808 Macomb letter and also indicates that the local people were erecting some type of fortification.
Report on Sunbury from Captain W. McRee to Colonel Swift Savannah 16 August 1812
Sir, I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 24
July--. I have had some conversations (and the subject of your letter) with Mr. Elliot of Sunbury a gentleman of information and representative of that place in the State legislature. He informs me, --- the inhabitants

12

are erecting two batte.ries and have two mines and some other pieces of

smaller caliber either mounted or [moving] . --- but no ammunition.

The town is open to the sea [--'--which is] about seven miles

distant, it is the healthiest spot in its vicinity and is the resort

of the neighbouring planters during the sickly months --- it is

situated on a sand bluff about 20 feet higher than the water -- of

earth batteries may be erected in abundance and [hopefully] cheap.

If fixed a permanent works might be built, two at least are necessary

one at [south] end of the town; as a vessel that would succeed in

approaching would be at liberty to lay secure from the fire of any

single battery.

I recollect a final! [sic] hammock. or island between the town and

bar --- which Col. Macomb and myself examined in 1808 and found to have

an excellent command of the channel which is here very narrow --- :But

is a site for an open battery --'""' the objection against it is conclusive.

It has only water communication with the main-landand is quite 'beyond

the reach of wither protection of support.

For a maratime [sic] defense --when [-----] will act out their use.

I am decidely in favor of the use of using artillery support on travelling

[sic] points of action: and I am acquainted with no sites uniting

advantages, better [situated] to ensure success to this description of

defenses than Sunbury...



signed W. McRee40

Immediately after the War of 1812, a Lieutenant James Gadsen wrote a

report on the conditions of fortifications in South Carolina and Georgia

to a General. Swift. Sunbury was one of the communities including in the

Gadsen report. The following is one of the most informative letters con-

cerning the extant earthwork in Sunbury:

Extract of a letter from Lieutenant James Gadsen to General Swift,

dated June 1, 1815.

Charleston, South Carolina June 1, 1815

Sunbury The situation and importance of Sunbury Js not stich as would warrant the recommendation of expensive fortifications. As a Town.it is only the resort of the neighbouring Inhabitants in quest of health during the sickly season of the year. It is not commercial, therefore it cannot excite the cupidity of an Enemy; but as it possesses a safe, and deep harbour; admitting nineteen feet of water on the bar, it may be necessary to secure it. By the voluntary labor of the neighboring planters, a work has been commenced the last fall and very nearly completed on the return of peace. It stands on a commanding position enfilading the

13
channel surrounded on two sides by a marsh in the third by a ravine, and approachable by a land force on the rear only. I would reconunend that it be completed and its profile strengthened by widening and deepening the ditch and forming with earth a high glacis.
Its figure is irregular, (an attempt at a star Fort) and though not approved of, yet as the fort is so near completed any additional strength gained by an alteration. of its form, would hardly warrant the consequent increase of expence [sic], -such an alteration would not only render it necessary to build a new work, but to fill up the ditch, and level the parapets of the old one. This Fort with six heavy pieces of ordnance [sic] and two field pieces will effectually secure the Harbor and with a resolute garrison may be maintained against a superior force until! relieved by reinforcements. It would also serve to protect the Planters. of the Medway River from the predatory visit of barges and maybe a rallying point in times of alarm for the Militia of Liberty County.
[signed] James Gadsen Lt. Engineers41
Between the War of 1812 and the War Between the States, the fort
may have been occupied by local militia troops; however, no documented
evidence related to the fort in the intervening time frame has been found.

----------------------------This map, (c. 1815), located in The National

_..:_Archives is further proof that the earthwork

~::;~;_-~ .: ~.: ~:::::.::J:~:-r:~;::;,:;; now near Sunbury was constructed in 1814

...:, __>!~,-:(..,;._;-:,.. . . -;' -~ The shape, location, and size of Fort

.. .

.

., '~-.. r'llv ...... :)

..r~.

Def~ ance

in

the

sketch

correlate with

'

s: :. the shape, location and size of the

... . . . ' t
~....- _,._. ~ .... '

.

. .

~ present earthwork.

, :-.

14
I!:W::~!:"r::...;o;;;:u:t:

... ,, .

...

. .

l ~

. .,,
.

,

...

15
SUNBURY DURING THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES
Both Confederate and Federal troops were posted in Sunbury at various intervals during the Civil War. Confederate troops were stationed in Sunbury periodically from 1861 to 1864. In December 1864, the Federals were able to capture the town, and for several days, the Union troops were posted in Sunbury. 42
The Lamar Rangers, a local Confederate militia organization in Liberty County, was the first Confederate military unit set up at Hester's Bluff near Sunbury to do picket duty in Sunbury. 43 In August, 1861, the Liberty Independent Troops, another Liberty County militia unit, went into camp at Hester's Bluff where they trained and conducted picket duty in Sunbury and along the coast. 44 The Lamar Rangers in October 1861 were ordered into Mcintosh County, leaving the Liberty Independent Troops ~esponsible for the defense of Sunbury. 45 When the Federal Navy, in Noveni>er, 1861, captured Port Royal and Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, the Confederate troops on Hester's Bluff and Sunbury were ordered to Riceboro, a community near the coastal railroad in Liberty County. 46 Sunbury periodically was used as a Confederate outpost until the Federals captured the town.
In the fall of 1864, the 29th Battalion, Georgia Cavalry; under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Arthur Hood, was ordered to Liberty County to establish outposts in Sunbury, Dorchester, Riceboro and Station 113 (Fleming). 47
War came to Liberty County when units of the Federal cavalry under the command of General Judson Kilpatrick, commander of the Cavalary in Sherman's Army, moved into the area. On December 13, 1864 the Third Kentucky Cavalry (U. S.) approached Sunbury.48 The Confederate pickets of the 29th Georgia Cavalry were apparently taken by surprise as a number were captured by the

16

Federals at their posts. The Federals, ordered toburn a building in

Sunbury to signal the Federal fleet, proceeded to burn the Sunbury Baptist Church. 49 More Federal troops came to Sunbury on the 14th of December,

1864, and that same day Federal gunboats entered the Midway River and anchored in Sunbury harbor. 50 The Federal army and naval forces stayed

in the Sunbury area at least a week.

One 1925 newspaper account by a Southern survivor of the Federal

seizure at Sunbury which reported the existence and use of fortifications

in Sunbury during the Civil War stated:

"The town was well fortified with heavy breastworks and could not

have been taken without the help of land forces."51

.

There is little doubt with all the military activity in Sunbury, that the

fort the State now owns was probably used during the Civil War.

17
CONCLUSION
The extant earthwork just south of Sunbury, Georgia is reputed to have been the Revolutionary War fortification, "Fort Morris." In historically testing the hypothesis that. the earthwork in Sunbury was of Revolutionary War vintage, some serious questions as to the forts authenticity were discovered, the foremost question being the construction date of the fort. The historic evidence surveyed and analyzed indicates that the earthwork near Sunbury held by the State of Georgia may not be the "Fort Morris" of the American Revolution. This conclusion does not preclude the possibility that a Revolutionary War fort may be under or near the salient earthwork.
Historic military activity took place in or near Sunbury as early as 1756 when a small fort was constructed,52 but by 1776 this fort had completely deteriorated and probably disappeared. During the American Revolution, a fort referred to in the literature as "Fort Morris" was constructed at Sunbury. 53 The town was attacked at least three times by the British between 1776-1779; "Fort Morris" was involved in the last two major attacks.54 After Sunbury's capitulation to the British on January 9, 1779, there was little or no fighting in the town, but the British did maintain a small garrison in Sunbury periodically from 1779 to 1782. 55 When the British evacuated Sunbury in 1782, much of the town may have been destroyed by a British Naval detachment.56
Although no military conflict occurred in or near the town during the War of 1812, the town was garrisoned, intermittently, during t~e . war, and in the fall of 1814 a fort was constructed by the local militia.57 The town of Sunbury was occupied by both Confederate and Union forces in the War Between the States, and there is some evidence that some fortifications were

18
constructed for the defense of the town. 58 After the Civil War, Sunbury
b ecame, as descr1"be d by CC J ones, J r., a ."dead town. " 59 ii No s1gn1f 1 cant
conflict occurred in Sunbury after the Civil War.
The original and primary historic evidence thus far collected suggests
that the extant earthwork near Sunbury was built in the fall of 1814 and
not during the American Revolution. This determination was based on the following:
(1) There is substantive evidence proving the existence of a Revolution-
ary War fort called/ "Fort Morris" in Sunbury, Georgia, but no original
and primary records examined have demonstrated the location and type (log, earth, etc.) of the fort. 60
(2) The most conclusive original evidence on the construction date
of the fort is in the U. S. Army Engineering reports concerning the
\
" defense of Sunbury between 1808 and 1815. Two of the reports, one
in 1808 and the other in 1812, do not mention the existence of any
suitable fortification in or near Sunbury.61 A third report by a
Lieutenant Gads ,en, who, in June of 1815, issued a report on all coastal
fortifications in South Carolina and Georgia, wrote the following
concerning the defenses of Sunbury:
" .. By the voluntary labor of the \ neighboring planters, a work has been commenced the last fall and very nearly completed on the return of peace. It stands on a commanding position enfilading the channel surrounded on two sides by a marsh and the third by a ravine, and approachable by a land force on the rear only. I would recommend that it be completed and its profile strengthened by widening and deepening the ditch and ' forming with earth a high glacis.
Its figure is irregular, (an attempt at a star Fort) and though not approved of, yet as the fort is so near being completed

19
any additional strength gained by an alteration of its fg~m would hardly warrant the consequent increase of expence [sic] 11 Gadsen's description, location, and form of the fort strongly suggests that that the salient earthwork near Sunbury was constructed during the War of 1812. (3) .A map has been discovered in the National Archives which names and locates a fort in Sunbury called "Fort Defiance." The location and shape of "Fort Defiance" is clearly the extant earthwork now near Sunbury. (See page 14.) This map was undated and unsigned; according to National Archives personnel, the form, the paper, the content and the script used can be dated as c. 1815.63 (4) There are many questions concerning the size of the Revolutionary War fort. General Robert Howe described the Fort at Sunbury as "a work too extensive for five times the number of men, ill-constructed, unfinished, without casemates and without the least probability of relieving it. " 64 Both Major Lane and General Augustine Prevost listed the number of men captured in the fort at around 200. The present "Fort Morris" would be crowded if it contained 200 men, much less 1,000, the number Howe thought was nec~ssary to defend the fort. In the accounts of the capitulation of Sunbury, both Prevost and Lane . stated that the fort had twenty-one pieces of artillery. Prevost further related that "we [the British] had possession of the gate and entered the Fort next morning . " Lane states in his account that the "south wing of the barracks in the fort were soon in flames from the [British] battery."6S Thus, the Howe description of the fort and both the Lane and Prevost accounts of the capture of Sunbury suggest

20
that the Revolutionary War Fort Morris was much larger than the present earthwork. (5) In September 1779, General Augustine Prevost ordered Lieutenant Colonel Cruger in Sunbury to "dismantle the fort, and to destroy much of the town, but as .in the preceding, there is no evidence to
suggest that the British destroy~d any fortifications. 66 In both
instances the question remaining is: Why would the British leave a fortification for the patriots to use? (6) Before the capture of Sunbury the British besieged the fort for three days.67 There were at least two patriot galleys and one sloop in Sunbury during the three-day siege. Major Lane in his account of the capture related that the gallies were his last hope to get his men out of Sunbury. 68 Apparently, the ships were protected by the fort from British bombardment. 69 It does not seem possil:He to me that the present Fort Morris could have protected the ships one hour, much less three days. I have formulated three opinions from the historic evidence thus far analyzed. One, although the location of the Revolutionary War fort is not known, the historic evidence indicates extensive fortifications around Sunbury and the existence of a fort in or near the southern boundary of the town during the Revolution. 70 Two, military activity occurred in Sunbury from 1752 to the end of the Civil War, 1865. Three, the "Fort Morris" the State of Georgia owns was not constructed during the Revolution, but was constructed in the fall of 1814 by the people of Liberty County.

21
NOTES
1. The Georgia patriots were also referred to in the literature as Whigs and rebels.
2. Kenneth Coleman, The American Revolution in Georgia, 1763-1789 (Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 1958), p. 95. and James C. Bonner, "A Sununary of Georgia History," unpublished RepOJ:'t, 1975, pp. 14-16.
3. Allen D. Candler (Compiler), The Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia, Vol. I (Atlanta: The Franklin Turner Company, Printers, Publishers, Binders, 1908), p. 197. Hereafter this citation will be referred to as R.R.G. followed by the volume and page number.
4. R.R.G., Vol. I, p. 197.
5. R.R.G., Vol. I, p. 125.
6. R.R.G., Vol. I, pp. 136-137, see also p. 169 op. cit., the council granted 100 pounds for "erecting a battery" in .Sunbury. Other references relative to the defense of Sunbury in R.R.G., Vol. I can be found in the following pages: 125, 136, 137, 141, 142, 169, 197, 205.
7. British Public Record Office, Loyalist Claims, Memorial of Thomas Young, on microfilm in Georgia Archives. Hereafter all referenc\~s to the Loyalist Claims will be cited as Loyalist Claims, and the name of the memorialist.
8. William Moultrie, Memoirs of the American Revolution, So Far as It Related to the States of North -and South Carolina, and Georgia, Vol. I (New York: Printed by David Longworth for the Author, 1802; Reprinted in 1968 by Arno Press, Inc.), p. 185. and Coleman, op. cit., pp. 99-109.
9. The daily account of Florida expedition can be found in Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. V, Part II, Col. Samuel Elbert, Order Book (Savannah: The Morning News Print, 1902). Specific references to Sunbury in Elbert's Order Book can be found in pp. 8-9, 21, 48-49 and 73-74. See also Coleman, op. cit., p. 104.
10. Elbert, op. cit., p. 76.
11. R.R.G., Vol. II, p. 65.
12. The progress of the last Florida Expedition can be found in various articles of "Order Book of John Faucherand Grimke," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Volumes XI-XIV. Specific references to Sunbury are in Vol. XIII, pp. 203-212 and Vol. XIV, pp. 44-57.

22
See also Coleman, op. cit., pp. 107-108.
13. The Georgia Executive Council, fearful of an attack on Sunbury dur;ing and after the third Florida expedition ordered that Continental and Militia Troops remain in Sunbury for its defense. The Council further ordered that a sufficient number of troops remain in Liberty County to "Mann the Gallies at Sunbury." R.R.G., Vol. II, pp. 72-73. For the Graves application see R.R.G., Vol. II, p. 90.
14. R.R.G., Vol. II, p. 92.
15. Letter, General Augustine Prevost, Savannah, 19 Jan. 1779. to Sir Henry Clinton, General and Commander-in-Chief of all his Majesty's Troops in North America, Historical MSS Commission of Great Britain. Microcopy found in Charlton Papers in South Carolina Archives, Columbia, S. C. (Photocopy in Historic Preservation Section files). and Letters, Major Joseph Lane to Gen. Robert Howe, Dec. 30, 1778 and Feb. 22, 1779, Emmet Collection, New York Public Li. brary. (Typ. ed copy in North Carolina Archives, Raleigh, N. C.).
16. William James Morgan (ed.), The Naval Documents of the American Revolution, Vol. 5, American Theatre: May 9, 1776- July 31, 1776 (Washington, D. C., U.S. Government Printing Office, 1970), p. 197, vide infra p. 367. On page 197, Letter of Captain Henry Bryne R.N. to Vice Admiral James Young, May 21, 1776.
17. In R.R.G., Volumes I and II there are various references to gallies in Sunbury. Both the Lane and the Augustine Prevost letters mention the gallies in Sunbury.
18. R.R.G., Vol. I.
19. Loyalist Claims, Charles Watts. Frank Moore (compiler), Diary of the American Revolution from Newspapers and Original Documents, Vol. II (New York:privately printed, 1865), pp. 107-109. n. Account of Fuser' s attack on Sunbury under title of Pennsylvania Packet, Jan. 30, 1779. n. See also, "Order Book of John Faucherand Grimke," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vol. XIII, p. 203; and "The Trial of Major General Howe, December, 1781," Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1779, Vol. XII (New York: printed for the Society, 1880), p. 286. See George Walton's testimony in Howe's court martial.
20. John White, Savannah, Ga., 21 Nov. 1778, Letter to General Howe, Papers of the Continental Congress;, 1774-1789, National Archives, Item /1160. Found in National Archives Microfilm Publications Microcopy 1124 7, Roll 178, Item //160.
21. See note #20, op. cit.

23

22. General Benjamin Lincoln, Charleston, S. C., 10 (could be 19) Dec. 1778. Letter to Henry Laurens, President of the Continental Congress, Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, op. cit., Roll 177, Item 1/158.

23. "Order Book of John Faucherand Grimke," op. cit., Vol. 13, pp. 209-211.

24. "The Trial of Major General Howe, December, 1781," Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1779, Vol. XII (New York: printed for the Society, 1880), pp. 298-299. and Letter Lane to Howe, op. cit., Dec. 30, 1778.

25. Letter, General Augustine Prevost to Sir Henry Clinton, Jan. 19, 1779, op. cit. Letters, Major Joseph Lane to Gen. Robert Howe, Dec-. 30, 1778 and Feb. 22, 1779, op. cit. "The Trial of Major General Howe, December, 1781," op. cit.

26. "The Trial of Major General Howe, December, 1781," op. cit.

27. Letters, Major Joseph Lane to Gen. Robert Howe, Dec. 30, 1778 and Feb.

22, 1779, op. cit.

-

28. Ibid.

29. Ibid.

30. Lilla M. Hawe_s (ed.), Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. X (Savannah: by the society, 1952), p. 67. and Papers of the Continental Congress, op. cit. Memorial of Thomas Morris to Congress, Aug. 1780.

31. Letter, George Walton to Major General Benjamin Lincoln, September 1779, Sang Collection note: this letter was listed in a recent publication of the ARA Historical Foundation, but after exhaustive correspondence the letter has not been located, the letter according to the ARA Historical Foundation was written by Walton while a prisoner i.n Sunbury.

32. Loyalist Claims, op. cit. see Memorials of Roger Kelsall, Simon Paterson, Simon Munro and Charles Watts. Simon Munro stated that he was appointed "Lieut. Colonel of the Sunbury Regiment of Militia."

33. Loyalist Claims, op. cit. See Memorials of Roger Kelsall and Simon Paterson.

34. Kennedy, Benjamin (ed.), Chapter V, "Major General Augustine Prevost," Muskets, Cannon Balls and Bombs; Nine Narratives of the Siege of Savannah in 1779 (Savannah, Georgia: The Beehive Press, 1974), p. 94.

35. Ibid.

24
36. Loose plat file, Liberty County, plat of Josiah Pow~ll of file and of official record in the Georgia Surveyor General Department.
37. Stephen F. Miller, Memoir of Gen. David Blackahear (Philadelphia, J. B. Lippincott & Co., 1858), pp. 459-461.
38. Ibid.
39. Alexander Macomb, 1 Nov. 1808. Report in letter to Secretary of War. Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relating to the Corps of Engineers, 1801-19. Item 11184, National Archives. Found in National Archives Microfilm Publications Microcopy /1417, Roll I, 11184. n. This was a typescript in Collection.
40. Captain W. McRee, Savannah, Ga., 12 Aug. 1812, Letter to Colonel Swift, Buell Collection, op. cit., Roll II, /1344 (Photocopy in Historic Preservation Section files).
41. Lieut. Gadsen, Charleston, S. C., June 1, 1815, Reports by letter to General Swift, Buell Collection, op. cit., Roll II, 11559 (Photocopy fn Historic Preservation Section files).
42. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series 1, Vol. XLIV. Government Printing Office, 1893, p. 385 and Morgan, J. R., "An Account of the Burning of Sunbury Baptist Church," Liberty County Herald, April 30, 1925.
43. Fleming, W. A., "History of the Liberty Independent Troop." Manuscript 1896. p. 16.
44. Ibid.
45. Ibid, p. 16.
46. Ibid, p. 20.
47. Yarbrough, Bird and Paul. Taylor's Creek (Pearson, Georgia, Atkinson County Citizen Press, 1963), p. 38.
48. Official Records , op. cit., Series I, Vol. XLIV, p. 385.
49. Ibid and Morgan, J. R., op. cit.
50. Morgan, J. R., op. cit.
51. Ibid.
52. Charles C. Jones, Jr., "Sunbury," The Dead Towns of Georgia (Savannah: Morning News Stream Printing House, 1878), pp. 178-179.

25

53. Charles C. Jones, Jr., "Sunbury," op. cit., p. 180.

and

.

"Order Book of John Faucherand Grimke ," op. cit. , Vol. XIII, p. 207,

p. 210 and Vol. XIV, p. 45.

and

Letter, Prevost to Clinton, Jan. 19, 1779, op. cit. and

Letters, Lane to Howe, Dec. 30, 1778 and Feb. 22, 1779, op. cit.

54. Ibid.

55. Loyalist Claims, see note 1130, op. cit.

56. Loyalist Claims, op. cit. See memorials of Simon Paterson and Roger Kalsall.

57. Letter, Lieut. Gadsen to Gen. Swift, June 1, 1815, op. cit.

58. Morgan, J. R., op. cit.

59. C. C. Jones, Jr., op. cit.

60. Letter, Prevost to Clinton, op. cit. and Letters, Lane to Howe, op. cit. and Josiah Powell Plat, op. cit.

61. Letter, Macomb to Sec. of War. op. cit.

and



Letter, McRee to Swift, op. cit.

62. Letter, Gadsen to Sec. of War. op. cit.

63. National Archives was consulted. Their opinion was that the map was c. 1815.

64. Howe. op. cit.

65.. Letter, Prevost to Clinton, op. cit. and Letters, Lane to Howe, op. cit.

66. Kennedy, op. cit.

67. See Revolutionary War Pension records in Appendix and Letters, Lane to Howe, op. cit.

68. Letters, Lane to Howe, op. cit.

69. Ibid.

26
70. Ibid. and Campbell, Map, Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. VIII, (Savannah: The Morning News Printers and Binders, 1913). and A map that was recently called to my attention that may have been made by an unknown engineer officer for Lieutenant Colonel Archibald Campbell. Located on six sheets in the Henry Huntington Library, University of California, the map clearly illustrates a fort on the southern edge of Sunbury. This map is similar to the Campbell Map as to the location of the fort. (See appendix, page 32a.)

27
SELECTED BIBLIOGRAPHY
Primary Source Material
Original
1. British Public Records office. Loyalist Claims. (Georgia Archives Microfilm Collection)
2. Buell Collection of Historical Documents Relatingto the Corps of Engineers, 1801-1819, National Archives (National Archives Microfilm Publications Microcopy /1417, Rolls 1 and 2, Items /1184, 344, 559). Item /1184, Macomb letter to Secretary of War, 1 Nov; 1808 (typescript). Item /1344, McRee letter to General Swift, 12 Aug. 1812. Item 11559, Gadsen letter to General Swift, 1 June 1815.
3. Historical MSS Corranission of Great Britain (Microcopy in South Carolina Archives). General Augustine Prevost, Savannah, Georgia, to Sir Henry Clinton, dated 19 Jan. 1779.
4. Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789. Letters of Generals Robert Howe and Benjamin Lincoln, to Continental Congress (National Archives Microfilm Publications Microcopy /1247, Rolls 177, 178, Items 11158, fl160). Item /1158, John White, Savannah, Georgia; letter to Howe dated 21 Nov. 1778. Item /1160, General B. Lincoln, Charleston, South Carolina, to Henry Laurens, dated 10 (could be 19) Dec. 1778.
5. Revolutionary War Pension Records, (National Archives).
6. Sang Collection, George Walton Letter from Sunbury, 1779.
Typescript
1. Candler, Allen D. (compiler). The Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia, Vol. I, Introductory Remarks, Miscellaneous Papers, Council of Safety, Provincial Congress, Constitution of 1777, Confiscation and Banishment, Sales of Confiscated Estates. Atlanta: Compiled and published under authority of the Legislature, the Franklin-Turner Company Printers, Publishers, Binders, 1908.
2. Candler, Allen D. (compiler). The Revolutionary Records of the State of Georgia, Vol. II, Minutes of the Executive Council, from January 14, 1778 to January 6, 1785, and Journal of the Land Court, from April 6 to May 26, 1784. Atlanta: Compiled and published under authority of the Legislature, the Franklin;...Turner Company Printers, Publishers, Binders, 1908.

28
Typescript (cont'd)
3. Elbert, Samuel. ColleCtions of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. II, Part 2, Order Book of Samuel Elbert; Letter Book of Governor Samuel Elbert. Savannah, Georgia: The Morning News Print, 1902.
4. Emmet Collection, Major Joseph Lane Letters to General Robert Howe.
5. Grimke, John Faucheraud. "Order Book of John Faucheraud Grimke, August 1778 to May 1780," The South Carolina Historical Magazine, Vols. XIII, and XIV, edited by Mabel Webber, xii, 203-212 pp. , xiv, 44-5 7 pp.
6. Hawes, Lilla M. (ed.). Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. X. Savannah: by the Society, 1952.
7. Kennedy, Benjamin (ed.). Muskets, Cannon Balls and Bombs; Nine Narratives of the Siege of Savannah in 1779. Savannah, Georgia: The BeehivePress, 1974 . .
8. Morgan, William James (ed.). The Naval Documents of . the American Revolution, Vol. V, American Theatre: May 9, 1776 - July 31, 1776. Washington, D. C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1970.
9. Moore, Frank (compiler). Diary of the American Revolution from Newspapers and Original Documents, Vol. II, New York: privately printed 1865.
10. "The Trial of Major General Howe, December 1781." Collections of the New York Historical Society for the Year 1879, Vol. XII. New York: printed for the Society, 1880.
11. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies. Series I, Vol. XLIV~ Washington, D. C.: Government Printing Office, 1893.
Secondary Source. Material
1. Bonner, James C. "A Summary of Georgia History." Unpublished Report, 197 4.
2. Coleman, Kenneth. The American Revolution in Georgia, 1763-1789. Athens, Georgia: University of Georgia Press, 1958.
3. Fleming, W. A. "History of the Liberty Independent Troop." Unpublished Manuscript, 1896.
4. Jones, Charles C., Jr. "Sunbury," The Dead Towns of Georgia, Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. IV. Savannah, Georgia: Morning News Stearn Printing House, 1878.

29
Secondary (cont'd)
5. McCall, Hugh. The History of Georgia Containing Brief Sketches of the Most RemarkableEvents up to the Present Day,two volumes . savannah, Georgia: Printed and published by Seymour & William$, 1811-1816.
6. Miller, Stephen F. Memoir of General David Blackshear. Philadelphia: J .B. Lippincott & Co., 1858.
7. Morgan, J. R. "An Account of the Burning of Sunbury Baptist Church," Liberty County Herald, April 30, 1925.
8. Moultrie,. William. Memoirs of the American Revolution, So Far as It Related to the States of North and SouthCarolina, andGeorgia, Vol. I. New York: Printed by David Longworth, for the Author, 1802; reprinted by Arno Press, Inc., 1968.
9. Yarbrough, Bird and Paul. Taylor's Creek. Pearson, Georgia: Atkinson County Citizen Press, 1963.
PLATS AND MAPS
1. Campbell, Archibald, Sketch of the Northern Frontiers of Georgia 2 Extending from the Mouth of the Savannah River to tbe Town of Augusta. Engraved by William Faden, Charing Cross. 1780. Copy used in paper found in "Letters of Joseph Clay, Merchant of Savannah, 1776-1793," Collections of the Georgia Historical Society, Vol. VIII. Savannah: The Morning News Printers and Binders, 1913.
2. Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, Limerick SF Quadrangle. Revised 1958.
3. Plat of Josiah Powell, Loose plat file, Liberty County, Georgia Surveyor General Department.
4. Plat of Lot 1, Block G, Fort Morris Park and That Certain Area Shows on
the Subdivision Map of Fort Morris Park as "Fort Morris," Sewell &
Associates, Inc., Atlanta and Savannah, August 2, 1968. On file in Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Historic Sites Division.
5. Bketch of Sunbury Harbor Georgia, c. 1815, National Archives Record
Group 77, Drawer 129, Sheet 4.
6. State Highway Department of Georgia, Division of Highway'Planning, General Highway Map Liberty County, Georgia.

APPENDIX CONTENT
1. Letter Extract, John White to General Robert Howe, November 21, 1778. (See note 1/20.)
2. Letter Extract, General Benjamin Lincoln to Henry Laurens, Dec. 1o (19) 1778. (See note #22.)
3. Order of 6th of December 1778 in Grimke's Order Book. (See note #23.)
4. General Robert Howe's testimony at his own Court Martial concerning the defenses of Sunbury. (See note #24.)
5. Two Letters, Lane to Howe, December 30, 1778 and Lane to Howe, Feb. 22, 1779. (See note #15.)
6. Letter, Prevost to Clinton, January 19, 1779. (See note #15.)
7. Letter, Prevost to Lord George Germain, January 18, 1779 (See note 1115.)
8. Memorial of Thomas Morris, 1780. (Papers of the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, memorials.)
9. Thomas Morris, Revolutionary War Pension Record.
10. Henry Smith, Revolutionary War Pension Record.
11. Zachariah Reed, Revolutionary War Pension Record.
12. Alexander Macomb Correspondence, 1808. (See note #39.)
13. Captain William McRee Corres.pondence, 1812. (See note 1140 .)
14. Map portion of coastal Georgia showing Sunbury and fort, c. 1780. (See note 1170.)

1-A

General Howe received intelligence relating to the attack via a letter of John White of Savannah:

Extract of letter of John White to General Howe, dated Savannah, Nov. 21, 1778

D-r General.

(telling of invasion)

... The number of the Enemy, by every intelligence I have been able to collect, appears to be about 1,100, five hundred of which chiefly horsemen, are come by land; and their party now acting against us waging a most abominable and (neferious) war. They kill, burn and destroy every thing they meet in their way. They have burnt all the House of the other side off Newport Ferry, within 4 miles of Sunbyry - our present stand is at Medway MeetingHouse where we have intrenched and broke up the Causway leading to it. The Enemy have 4 pieces of artillery with them, and march with Colours flying and Drums beating in a formidable manner. They are to be joined by 600 Red-Coats who are coming inside by water with a Galley mounting two 18 P s and a large Flat, under convoy of the Ship George and a Brig of 10 Guns called the. Spitfire, with her tender; which is all the Naval Force they could muster irt St. Augustine.
I have manned the Congress Gaily with volunteers out of the
(French?) Merchantmen, & ordered her south to Sunbury to join the
two other Galleys in order to operate with (men?) ..

Signed by John White

2-.a
Extract of letter by General Benjrunin Lincoln, dated. ])ec . 10 (could be 19) 1778 . Written 1:o Henry L.aurins, President of the Continental Congress .
... The enemy from St. Augustine lately made .an excursion into the heart of Georgia. They demanded the Surrender of a Small fort .at Sunbury, but (supplied) with the spirited .answer given their sutmnons they left that neighborhood .and on the .approach of some of our troops retreated .and recrossed the Alt.am.aha, carrying with them a number of negroes, cattle .and other valuable articles, but much less than was at first represented. Whether they left that State or no is uncertain. T expect every moment .a more particular account. If the inclosed deposition is .a (just). relation of the enemies designs they may mean the reduction of G~orgia: ...
(signed) B. Lincoln

3-a
Order Book of
John Faucherand Grimke
Headquarters; Sunbury; 6th Dec. 1778
6: Parole Sunbury The Commanding Officer of Fort Morris is immediately to Report
to the General the State of his Garrison; the Number of Ordinances and quantity of Stores of every kind in the Fort or any other place under his Command ...
This is the first documented American Source which mentions a Fort Morris. See "Order Book of John Faucherand Grimke," The South Carolina Historical and Genealogical Magazine, Vol. XIII, op. cit. , p. 209, see also p. 210 and Vol. XIV, p. 45.

4-a
General Howe was court martialed for the fall of Savannahand ordering the evacuation of Sunbury. The following is Howe's testimony concerning Sunbury .
. . . . Mr. Wereat's evidence proves this fact. I have confessed that I ordered the garrison at Sunbury to evacuate the fort, and I will add that I was so anxious to have it done, that my first order was written with a pencil, on horseback, in the field, and on retreat. Fearful that this order might miscarry, and still anxious for the fate of the garrison, upon a halt w~ made about eight mile(; fro:m the town, I, in another letter more explicit in its contents, repeated the order for evacuation, and directed, that if the stores could not be removed they should be destroyed, and the cannon spiked. This letter, and another to the same purpose not an hour afterwards, were dispatched by officers. Some, if not all, were received, but the major who commanded there delayed obeying the order until he heard from me again, in consequence of which he and his partyfell into the enemy's hands a few days afterwards. How this order, had it been wrong in itself, since it was not obeyed, could contribute to sacrifice the capital and the State, let those who framed the charge explain. I think it appears plain that nothing very erroneous in my conduct has happened, When, notwithstanding a strong desire to have me censured, charges so futile and ill-grounded are exhibited against me. It would have been horrid in me to have suffered a garrison to have remained in a work too extensive for five times the number of men, ill-constructed, unfinished; without casemates, and without the least probability of relieving it. Had I done so, and been arraigned for that, I should have stood in this presence with verydifferent sensations than .now I do; nor would I so justly incurred the censure of my owri heart to please the executive authority of the whole world, though every individual which composed it had been a Colonel Commandant of Militia. Major Lane, who commanded the fort, had recently been in it second in command, when an attack upon it by the enemy had been gallantly repulsed. The Magistrates and citizens of the town, hoping to defend it again, solicited, implored, and beset him to remain in it. Combined with these, he was in the bloom of youth, and in the hey-day of blood and spirits - an enthusiastic ardour for fame, which it is better for an officer sometimes to be misled by bhan never to feel, and which, tho' it may now and then induce excess, it is at worst by the excess of a good quality. All these prevailed upon him to delay an execution of his orders, and he had his punishment in his fault. The crossing Savanna river very early after theretreat I have also confessed, Some of the reasons that operated upon me must be my defense; half of them, I pledge myself, will be a sufficient justification....
See note #24 for citation.

5-a
JOSEPH LANE TO GEN. HOWE
(A. L. S. 3 pp. 4 to., Emmet. 6716.)
Sir/
About 10 oClock this day I received your Express. I am sorry for the loss of Savannah-- Your orders have forced me into a precarious D.ilemmaat first I thought a retreat practicable, but when I sought among the Inhabitants for a Guide to direct my rout I could not find any person equal to the task.;.I held a Council of War, composed of all the Officers of the Fort, and the most respectable Inhabitants, who were unanimous in opinion, that a retreat was impracticable, and that our safety was entirely dependant on a virourous defence of the Fort,- I can muster about . for its defence- And am determined, as there is no possibility of a retreat, at all resks of my Life to defend it to the last- I feel a most poignant concern for the necessity, which urged and prompted me to defer executing immediately your.Orders---but hope it may merit a more delicate appellation when you comprehend the cause which inevitably controuled my Conduct- We have provisions sufficiently to subsist the Garrison for a considerable Siege- and spirit, resolution and fortitude in the breast and heart of every Soldier in the Garrison to Conquer or die in case of a Storm--- I hope Sir when the premises are maturely pondered by your Excellency you will not forget us, when ever you have it in your power to support us--I write the Sentiment of the whole Garrison and humbly hope that it may appear to be a sufficient sanction for my Conduct---
I am with much Esteem Your Excellency's obedient and humble Servant
Jos: Lane Maj & B. Comndng. at Sunbury
Fort Morris 30th December 1778
Major General Howe
(Address added in pencil by Dr. Emmet: At Cherokee Hill)
P.S. notwithstanding the Contents above written--- If your Excellency thinks you cannot succour us by a speedy reinforcement, a'II.d that we shall n.ot derive any advantage to the State from a manly and becoming resistance, and your further advice and orders shall enforce an evacuation of the Fort, I shall (provided I have a Guide sent me for the . purpose) exert every faculty to execute the contents of your Express--- As I am totally ignorant of the Country I have no hope of making a good and safe retreat, without a skillful Guide---

6-a
Joseph Lane to
Feby. 22, 1779
Sir
This being the first Opportunity (since the Surrender of Fort Morris at Sunbury) of conveying you an authentic account by permission of the honble B. Genl. Prevost I gladly embrace it.
Doubtless many reports blended with truth & falsehood have alternately prevailed - but what general construction & information, has had the ascendant is not possible for me in my present situation to ime3;gine.
On the 27th. & 28th. decemr. 78, I received two several expresses from Genl. Howe dated at Savannah intimating to me the good situation & force of the Army he then commanded & the expected reinforcements from So. Carolina at the same time enclosing a deputation from the Q.M.G. to impress Waggons, Negroes, Horses &ca. and every thing of importance to render the Fort as tenable & Defensible as possible.
Entirely devoted to and busy in this employment, another Express dated 29th. decer. Cherokee Hill (& receiv'd 30th. P.M.) most pressingly & peremtorily commanded an evacuation of the Fort - informing Me of the retreat of the Confederal Army to So. Carolina &ca.
Having received this express as above written, not a moment was neglected in issuing out the necessary Orders to evacuate the Fort, sending expresses to the outposts advanc'd to the southward of Sunbury at Newport ferry & Col's Island which was not effected 'till the next morning being 31st december.
It was not 'till this moment I discovered the precariousness of my Situation and the impracticability of executing Genl. Howe's Orders immediately; being totally unacquainted with the Country myself not an Officer or soldier under my command of better knowledge of the roads than myself - A detachment of the Enemy in possession of Ogechie-ferry - the only crossing place I knew of - and having receiv'd intelligence that the Enemys Rangers were to the Westward on Conouchie - & Genl. Prevost with a considerable body of Men landing on Col's Island- and the Idea of the Troops under Col. Campbell, throwing themselves into the main road up to Augasta - my Expresses in various parts intercepted - reconoitring parties without exception taken - In this dilemma having still some distant hope & prospect of effecting a retreat, I had recourse to the Inhabitants of the Town and in a full assembly of Citizens communicated my intention to evacuate the Garrison and intreated their assistance in furnishing a skilful Guide to conduct my rout high up the Country to So. Carolina - but to my great disappointment & mortification not a Man present know any such rout, nor could they even recommend to me a person equal to this task. Determin'd still (while the least seeming of success appeard) to retreat with the Garrison to So. Carolina, I formed a secret design of making Beaufort by the Washington & Lee Gallies which were under way from Ogeechie Inlet to Sunbury. They hove in sight 4th day of Jany & anchor'd at &. never came up 'till next morning at which time Genl. Prevost had fully invested the Town & Garrison. Having communicated my design to the Offrs. of the Gallies - & consulting with other maritime Officers - I met with the decisive mortification of being inform'd that the Gallies could not put to Sea - Necessitated to make

7-a
a Virtue of Misfortune I ultimately formed a resolution of defending the Fort to the last extremity, fully confident that all communication with the Confederate Army was cut off the Enemy almost in compleat possession of the State &ca.
The Enemy on their first appearance in the Town, threw themselves in a ditch which run paralel to the Fort about 100 Toises, from behind which a loose irregular firing of Musquetry continually annoy'd us for 4 days & altho' a heavy fire from the Parapets - every piece of Ordnance that could bear on them was supported by the fort to dislodge them yet there was no successful impression made -
The enemy taking position in two angles of the fort which were unflank'd cover'd by a ditch in one and a flesh Battery on the other .,. made every preparation for a bombardment - On the 9th. of Jany. a Summons was sent by the enemy of which the subsequent is a Copy .
Sir
My desire to save the Lives of many men induces me to acquaint you that the Batteries are now opened and ready to do execution, it is in your power to accept of my Offers andto prevent the Mischief that will be done, an immediate surrender will prevent extremeties I would wish to avoid, in half an hours time the firing will begin after which all consequences attending a fruitless & obstinate resistance must be owing to you. I am Sir
Yr. Most Obt. Hmb. Servt. A. Prevost, Brigr. Genl. & Commr. in Chief of the Britist Troops in Georgia
Sunbury Friday 9th Januy 1779 10 OClock A.M.
To Majr. Lane or Offr. Commg. in fort Morris
Sunbury
Answer to the above & Return of Flag. Vizt.
Sir
As you demand of the Surrender of the fort is immediate & unconditional, I have only time to answer in the Negative I am Sir
Yr. Most. Obt. Hum. Servt. Comm. the Contl. Troops at Fort Morris
9th Jany. 1779 To A. Prevoost, B.G. Commr. in Chief.
But notwithstanding this display of Strength & the threatened execution from the Batteries, I was willing to conceive that the Enemy only meant to intimidate & perswade the Garrison into an unconditional Submission when force

8-a
would prove inefectual, prompted by this Idea & the good countenance of the Garrison by the return of the Flag I sent the foregoing Answer-
To this a Verbal reply was made that the "Artillery should be play'd with the utmost Violence and no Quarter given unless the fort innnediately Surrender'd" & before I had compleated an Answer by Letter to the Genl. the firing began from two royals behind the aforemention'd ditch which altho' well directed and a Number of Shells burst in the fort near the Magazine yet the Enemy deriv'd no advantage - nor did the Garrison sustain the least annoyance from them- but this address was only design'd to amuse while an 8 inch howitzer was opening on another angle from an old Battery hinted at above- Nothing but the force of Bombs could have convinc'd me of the superiority of the Enemy - the S. Wing of the Barracks in the fort were soon in flames from the Battery- and three of the Garrison wounded & one kill'd. Convinc'd that the fort was untenable & a further resistance could cause the loss of the lives of many brave Men, & Experience prov'd that no advantage would accrue to us - a Parley was beat to demand a greater length of time & more honourable conditions - which were refused, by a continued fire from the ditch & Batteries. But resolv'd at all hazzards never to surrender to an Enemy unconditionally - a Second Parley was beat which occasioned a cessation of Arms for about an hour. In which time the following were agreed upon -
"the Garrison to surrender prisoners of War - the Officers & Men to retain their Baggage now in the fort - None but Brittish Troops to enter the Fort -
This Parley was design'd merely to detain & amuse the Enemy 'till the Gallies which were then under way (Tow) would outreach the Guns of the fort which was effected & by that means escap'd falling into the Enemy's hands. The next morning in sight of the Fort they blew up and the Crews set sail for So. Carolina in a Sloop which I have been informd since was captur'd by a Tender belonging to the Spitfire Brig -
The whole Garrison in number 159 Continental Troops as pr. inclosd return & 45 Militia were sent to Savannah and after a short Stay there the privates & N.on Commissd. Offrs. Sent on board the prison Ships & the Connnissd. Officers countermarch'd to Sunbury where they Still remain.
It is not possible for me to inform you of the loss of the Enemy in this action - They say they lost but three Killd - but from my own knowledge I am well satisfy'd the loss was greater.
I have sir the honor to be sir your most obedt humble servt Jos Lane Majr. 3 B
Sunbury 22 Feby. 79

9-a

. .

.

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.

:

A Return oi,' the Gar~rison .111 Fort ' J1. i,o. rr.i.s cotnr.1' .nndod b.y .

Mt\jor Joseph Lane, January 9th, 79, made prisoners by

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i3. .Genl .. P1ovost

Second cor.rpnny of Georc:;iaArtillery


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John \'lulinore Qr Mr Serjto

John . Ponchier



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. Sumue.t l:'cc.K Daniel Hovey Corpol"l

John Burch Henry Heaq

Thomas Bond .

w:tllium Curt is

John \'/ebb

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Rbbort Kenny

Dotlinic Gerold

John Neviman Vlilliam .Taylor

Thomas Davis
I.ulte Pa\ll ..

William Th9t1aS

John Campbell Georee Davis

John V/rj.cht
Saml. Harrison

Vlilliam Tanner

John Finley

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Second Georgia C: Battnllion

Cornelius Collins 1st Lt.

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William Bal~er

Thomas Brown

Jesse Parker

George Smith

Patriclc Howell

Archibald -~iorldly

EdwaPd Berry

JUc!1nel Nugent

Jacob Rail..berry

Robert Hutchinson

Jacob i;avis

Drury. Stol{es

Beverly Holt

William Smith

Peter Bromback

Gibson Sutherland

John Haris (or Havie?)

David Childers.

William Collar

Daniel Bramfield

Ed\'lard McBride

John Collins

Patrick li'raey

William Drum

Thomas Handsford

William Sagers {or Sayers?)

John Lynch

Riel ,C;nnis

Archibald Martin

Gabriel Philips

Abraham Lunly

John Mcintire

John Clayton

Lynn Pea

John Honsey

Reuben Holt

James Dial Michael Ho.lony

John Price Allen Battast.

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11-a

Return of tho Third GeorC;ia Battallion.

Joseph I..n.no

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Rains Cook John Meanly

First

Lieut~

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J-osiah llinxv1011 Second Lt

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John Peter Vhtt;non 1)hird L

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D~_vid Rees Ebenezer Calender Davis Austin Commissary o
Issues David FleminG Jonathan Holden
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James Hays Serjt~ BenjaminWa11 David Wilson Nocho1as Bond Cbrporal

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John :Petillo

Michael CoGbourn

Camp Durnell

Henry Pic;c; John l,iastors William Harnass

Svtan Saunders

James Mills

Vlilliam Perdue

Vl11J.iam A11eood Dr.vid J-.;lotley Herbert Vines

\'1111iam Tucl~er
John Bush ..Toscph Pe::l.rson

Vt'l.lent ine Perry \'Jiott Hunley

James Davis
Jesse Hall

'.Phom:::ts Hinds
Peter Stuart nurc;oss uoor

Richard Yol'k
Peter Jones

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12-a

Return of "i.hO Thir'd Gom"'eia Bat ta11ion
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Christopher Hillary

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James Brown

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Charles Mi11en(Mi11er? )

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John Bupnett

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Daniel McGinnis

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John Private

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Joseph Read

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Thomas Dixon

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Richard Sava6e

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Ludrick Handsartcr

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Henry .Fisher

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John Cn.npbe11

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Joseph \'lebster

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James Combs

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13-a

Third Sl). Cal.,oli'1.n Battallion.

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'John llcJ.1ah6n

H~u,twell Husl{y

.John Edmuriclson

William Uillinmson

'lw~arlc Hodges

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'Qeol'Ge Hight oYm

Isaac Scott 'Tho1:1as Hc-tri)er

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'Benjamin :>avis

Vlilliain Gpl.. owle

Thomas Burns

Johi1 ticLerm

Michael Davis

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Absalom Dean

William Hunter

James cunn.inel1urr,

\'lilliam Thoma's

Thomas G:ready

Thomas Condon

Carter iJonuhoe

nezeldah Davis

\James Hilton

Benja. Campbell

Peter Watson

Benjanin Harrison

Francis Gocidineton c. P~ Anhobus c. F
1 certify tne above List to. be exact &
agreable to inspectiioil

J~ M. P;rcvost Lt. C_ol. 60th nogt.

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14-a
SunLtL'Y l!ilitin. Company mn.<.le tJrisoncrs by P. G. Prc-rost
Pth. Jnny. 79.

(John l~cll

Cnptn.L1

Ofi'icor~ F:illii.lm ~Iatson 2d L1e1t.

(Georcc Cubbncc l~t L~~ut of a C6rnpany in Chatham

James II::tmilton)Sorjt. J"ohn Simpson ) do

Count~r

Privates I.iatthias ;Lapina

~enry iiagconer

JcPeminh iJi cld.nson ..~:x"1e&-~EHB~!:i:Ftf5

William Davis

g~~~iam-Pa~~aPSBR

\'Jm. Bennet Senr.

Henpy-~c:tH-:,t

x Wmv Peacock Senr. Jean Piriart

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Sn.muE.~l Davis

Jean Chanter

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x Thos., Diclcinson

Aut onio Arlns

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John Cabbo.Ge

Antonj.o Vot:ffy (

Adam Cm:i'ey

Julien Duchn.tcaif)

David l.~ot t
x Stafford Somcrsu.ll

x Uillinm Dallace

Samuel Hain

John Gilchrist \'/illme Sallo.t

Wm. I\iaconchy

,Tohn DuJ~er
x VIm. Peacocl{ .Junr" Adam GPuy

I certify the above number of forty five to be

x .Tohn Groavn~

""""'""'IJ .........._ - -. ...

, . , , - - - - I



_..._.&.J.. .L.UV\.I} .tJ10 .J."

Joseph Still

J. U. Prevost

Hoger La.w ~=>on
Alexr ... Stunrt

Lt Colo. 60th Hec;t ..

Stephen JenJcl.ns

Jncob Vernon
John Glazier Jeremiah Plnmer Edward Mahorn Senr>.,

Rich~rd Stevens x James Lancaster

Vincent Gray x John Howell x Francis Blackrole (? Blurred)

Jos Lane

Majr. 3 G. B.
Endorsed: J:!ajor I...1.. .no vs Letter froro Goorr;ia tOGetheP \"iith a return of the Prisoners t<:>.kcn at Sunbur~r
Feb. 22.
Endorsed by Dr. Em.'i~et in pencil: "From the Papers of Genl. Lincoln."

15-a

An account by Gen. Augustine Prevost concerning the surrender of "Fort Morris":

Savannah 19th, January, 1779

Sir

The many difficulties attending the progress of his Majesty's Troops from Florida such as the irnpractability of the Roads, the deficiency in point of Boats and craft to convey the Troops and Artillery, the total want of Provisions have not prevented our progress to this place, these difficulties were surmounted with Patience and Chearfulness -
On the 7th Instant the Troops that carne by Water landed seven miles from Sunbury, just at the very time when the parties of Horse and Rangers had arrived to the neighbourhood of that Town, Lt. Col. Prevost who had marched that night, with the loss of one man only expected the Surrounding of the place and did not quit his station notwithstanding the fire of two galleys an armed Schooner and the Fort, until! the rest of the Troops arrived; the Artillery could not come the same way the Troops did, as it was necessary to march under cover of the night close under the Fort, the Artillery therefore was sent round to New Port River and with great difficulties and (8) Inch howitzer and two Ryals, were brought on the 9th and begun to fire the next morning; before evening the same day the Fort was oblidged to surrender at discretion being then only a hundred forty yard from the Body of the place; their intended retreat on board their Galleys being prevented, we had possession of the gate and entered the Fort next morning, twenty one pieces of Artillery with stores of Provissions two pair of Colours, and two hundred & twelve Prisoners

including -

To His Excellancy - Sir Henry Clinton -
General and Commander in Chief of all his Majestys Troops in North America (Salutation is at bottom of first page in original document.)

*********

*****

*********

including the officers fell into our hands; the Galleys had made Their escape but thinking from some preperations on board of some vessels that we had taken and a number of boats that they saw manned, that we intended to attack them, they set fire 'to them and made their escape to sea - the Crews are since brought Prisoners into Savannah having been and by an armed vessel.

16-a

Our want of any kind of assistance from the Naval department prevented us from taking them and made us loose four or five days in Sunbury as we were oblidged for the security of our Boats to send them a great ways around and had no horses or Carts till afew days after to bring the stores and baggage -
The Troops marched to this place and reached it on the 17th and as soon as they can possibly be provided with afew necessaries of which they stand in the utmost need - I shall endavor to improve the advantages his Majesty's Troops have hither to obtained - for the particulars of Lt. Col. Campbells success of I beg leave to refer your Excellancy to his own account of the same as well as the disposition he had made for the security of the Posts formed on Savannah River previous to my arrival; the ennemy having since collected about 500 men in Burk's County I have already given orders to intercept them and sent a party of horse well acquainted with that part of Georgia to endavor to surprize them -
Major General Lincoln is encamped in force on the Carolina side of Savannah River at Purisburgh, under Protection of which two Galleys are stationed and prevent navigation of the river from the numbers already collected there and those said to be goeing to their assistance, every Possible advantage might be expected from an attack on the Coast, particularly if the inhabitants of the Frontiers evince by joining us the loyalty and zeal which they profess for government -

I transmit

*********

*****

*********

I transmit herewith to Your Excellency the returns of the Troops collected from East Florida - the Return of the ordinance and Stores taken in Sunbury and the state of the Rebel Garrison in Fort Morris now - Fort George and a Memorial sent by Lt. Col. Dickson of the 16th Regiment -
I have the honor to be with the Greatest Respect Sir

Your Excellencys Most Obediant and Most Humble Servant -

Prevost

P.S. Captain Donald McDonald of the (3rd Battn, 60) regiment died Sunbury the 11th instant. 24

A Return of the Garrison in Fort Morris connnanded by Major Lane the lOth January 1779 -

. Commifsioned Officers

(I)

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c::
.-1 !

~

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p.,

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.:us
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C,.)

Continental Troops Sunbury Militia

1

3

7

1

2

1

4

9

Staff
David Rees Judge Advocate David Flennning Afs. (Qr .Mr.) General Francis Coddington Com. ry of Ifsues David Austin ( ) Com. ry of d _ __ Isaac Introbus Com. ry of the Hospital Jonath. Holden Waggon Master

Staff Officers

(I)
.u

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1

12 1 129

2

(42)

1

14

172

Aug. Prevost

(

)

18-a
Return of Brass & Iron Ordnance of Or.dnance Stores in Fort Morris/now Fort George at Sunbury in Georgia, 13th January 1779 -

Brass
. Iron GlDls -
Garrison (Carridges)
Round Shot
i . . Case of Grape Shot

11411111994419439337222.20000...d.d..I--dndpdpp.P.SS..cs.o-..h..u......n.M....d.....e..odddd...rr...st....a.....r...s...........-...-.........................._.....-.........................-...........................-...........-......~....................................................................-.~....-......-........-................................................-.........-........-.....-..................-.............

1
2-
6
1 7 (8)
2 6
1 4 7 227
204 29
220
144
4 (8)
3
45

J. : . -

40

Ladles of Wad Hooks Small Arms

, 0 , J - .. .. .. . . ..

12 . .............. -. . . . . ... .

9 ~

.. . ............................ . .. . . . 4......................
3 . .

. ........... . ... ...... . Musquet with Bayonets

Rifles

~

.... Fuzes of Carbines

. Wall Peices

.............
-

.

......-.....- ..

.. "

....


.

'

3..7
13 5 100 12 40 4

Return Continued (on next page)

Empty Shells .........--
Ball Cartriges
Powde.r Lead
Flints

.... 4 2 Is._ .-

. . .. ... . . .. .... . Hand Granades fixed
Musquet
....... . ...... . . Carbine ~

-

~

- ....

30
so

.3000

500

...... 20

..... Musquet Ball (etc.) .... Pigs (etc.)
Musquet

e e e - . II 'e e
...............

.1150 .1000
400

.. Carbine
Cartriges Boxes

II'

80 150

......... Pouches with Powder Horns
Claw Handspikes

7230

(not decipherable) Capt. L.R. (Arldy)

19-a

Brigadier General Augustine Prevost to Lord George Germain

18 January 1779

LS

Public Record Office, America & West Indie.s. Vol. 155 fo. 45.

ENCLOSING

Return of Troops arrived from East Florida signed A~ Prevost! 17 January

1779

Am. & W. I. Vol. 155 fo. 49.

Return of the Garrison in Fort Morris comma:nded by Major Lane signed

Aug. Prevost Major of Brigade. 10 January 1779

Am. & W. I. Vol. .155 fo. 53.

Return of Brass and Iron Ordnance Stores in Fort Morris (now Fort George)

at Sunbury. Georgia, signed J. Fairlamb. 13 January 1779

Am. & W. I. Vol.. 155 fo. 57.

ENDORSED Savannah 18 January 1779 Major Genl. Prevost

R. Feb. 22 By Lt. Col. Innis

3 Inclosures

Copy (Entry Book) America & West Indies, Vol. 306 fo; 301

An Extract of this was printed in the Supplement to the London Gazette No. 11955 23 February 1779, a copy of which is in the Rykr Archie at the Hague, enclosed by Count Welderen to (the States General) on the 26th February.

20-a

My Lord

Savan11ah 18th January 1779

I think it .my duty to acquaint your Lordship, that pursuant to General Sir Henry Clinton's ord~r of 20th October received November

27th following; I collected all the Troops of every kind which could

possibly be spared from .the necessary Number for the defence of . the .

Fort and Garrison of St. Augustine.

Permit one my Lord to mention to the praise of the Troops

now with me the unexampled distress under which they have laboured for

anumber of Weeks for want of Provisions, their Spirited excurtions at

avery great distance in a Country extreamly difficult of Access; and

the Chearfulness with which for days together under the most severe

fatigues they lived only on Oysters, all resources of every kind being

exhausted notwithstanding all the industry and activity of Lieut. Col.

Prevost who exerted every sinew to relieve our wants, not aword of

Complaint was heared, the anxiety to share the toils of reducing Georgia,

and to promote the Kings Service made every thing easy and was patiently

borne by the Men who saw that their officers had no better fare than them-

selves; at last when the. j oyfull news came that the Troops from the

Northward were arrived off the Coast, those with me were soon ready to

cooperate with them; Our Artillery and Ammunition coming by Water in

open boats the only possible Conveyance as we were unassisted by any kind

of Naval force retarded us sometime as we were oblidiec;I . to take along

Circuit to avoid the ennemies Galleys however the Activity of Lt. Col.

Prevost who had made aforced March in the night and Surrounded the Town

of Sunbury to prevent the ennemy from escaping in case they designated

to abandon the Fort, The Right Honourable
Lord George Germain

afforded us

21-a
afforded us some means of bringing a Howitzer and some Royals with which we soon oblidged them to surrender the Garrison & Fort at discretion, the Prisoners including the officers amounted to Two Hundred and Twelve, They had a Capt. and two men killed & six wounded. On the side of His Majesty's Troops only one private Man was killed and three Wounded notwithstanding they had two Galleys and an armed Vessell foreing at our Trenches for three days besides twenty one peices of Cannon mounted in the Fort; after settling a Garrison in it and ordering the necessary repairs I proceeded to Savannah to take the Command of the Army come from the Northward hither to commanded by Lieut. Col. Campbell to whome I beg leave to refer your Lordship for the particulars of hi~ success against the ennemy, and the steps he has since taken to secure the Country along Savannah River.
As Soon as I can possibly make myself acquainted with the position of the ennemy who are now inforce on the opposite banks of Savannah River about 25 Miles above this Town, and refresh the Troops come with me, who are in great want of it, I shall immediately proceed up the River to see what advantages can be expected frotn the Frontier inhabitants of Carolina who give the Strongest hopes of joining heartily whenever they find that they are to be Supported, should it appear that they do not mean to take the active part which they have promised, I shall confine any plan of operations to harrassing the ennemy by excurtions and effectually securing this Province, to which all the loyal Subjects who have fled to Florida for shelter will soon return if they can be assured of being protected, if on the Contrary the Frontier Inhabitant!! should evince the zeal which they profess, I cannot doubt but great advantages maybe derived from a diversion in their side supported by an attack at Beafort or any of the settlements on the Coast of S. Carolina, however my Lord permit me to mention that it
will be

22~a
will be indispensably requisite to embody some of those people and to put at their head officers, who add to experiance and Military knowledge the necessary feelings to conduct men whose easy Circumstances at home, can hardly admit to be upon the same footing as the hardy .and Needy pesantry of the Northern Colonies, except from attachment and Loyalty, to preserve which must require agreat deal of prudence and humanity.
I have only enclosed to Your Lordship the Return of the Troops I brought with me from Florida, with the Return of the Garrison of Fort Morris now Fort George, and the State of the Ordinance and Stores taken there.
I have the Honour to be with the greatest Respect. My Lord, Your Lordships Most Obedient and Most Humble Servant, A. Prevost

23-a
1780 Memor-ial of Thomas Morris to the Continental Congress. Read Aug. 8, 1780.
To His Excellency the President of Congress The Memorial of Thomas Morris, Captain of Artillery in the line of the Line of Georgia Humbly Showith
That your Memorialist was made prisoner at Sunbury in the State aforesaid, in January last year and has remained in that situation ever since, suffering much Both in Georgia and the West Indies - That his pay and subsitence money, as .well as other demands against the United States are tinpaid and he distitute of money and conveniences.
He therefore prays that his pay and subsitance money, may be ordered to him Signed Thomas Morris

24-a

Thomas Morris

R 16555 Ga. Half-Pay

Deare

Sir I rec. your letter dated Aug. 30 1849. In answer to the letter

addressed to the Secrtary of War you requested in your letter that I give

you the particulars relative to the case of Tho. Morris dec. and to state

to what regat. he belonged and under what law the claim is made and at

what time. By whom and from what post office the papers were sent and

return your letter my answer. Capt. Tho. Morris was a grandfather of mine.

He died before my rememberance I know nothing more about the buisness .more

than I see -- From letters and information from my paerents and informed

by Capt. Brown who was imployed by my father and mother (

) to

(

) and do this business and had their power of attorney, Capt.

Morris was a contenental offecer in the State of Georgia in the town of

Sunberry and commanded fort morris, about the close of the war after

seveare combat with the British his commanding officer ordered His cullers

to be struck that he could not furnish him with any more powder and ball

he then struck His cullers agreable to the orders the British then came

in and took possesion of the fort and town. Capt. Morris had in the fort

18negros of his own take ins in by orders to fite with the cannon in the

fort they were valued which he reed a certificate for in the First of the

war he had vessels going to sea armed that took some of the british and what

powder and Ball he took he furnished with I have also (

) In his

alphabit provisions (

) furnished the commanding officers for the

benifit of the country which he reed certefecates for (

) certefecates

was recorded in the govenors office which still remains there which Capt.

Brown Had copis of it appears he was expeled from this buiseness by the

heirs of Capt. Morris. He then withdrew his papers so that no one else should

have benifits of them as he had the trouble of getting them he (

)

on his return From Washington he lost his trunk & part of his papers he

has the (

) relative to the buisness and as to what he lost is a

matter of no consequence more than the trouble of geting them again cence

all this Brown has been otherwise by the heirs of said Morris To proceed

and act, again with their powers of atterrteyys, after Capt. Morris was

taking prisoner of war and could not fire for his country any more he

came over to Virginia on visit with his family to see his brother William

Morris who lived here on his (

) Here he died and his wife also Wm

Morris Brother then took the administrator of his estate and after the

deed of Wm Morris young Wm Morris the son of the said Thos Morris took

the administration of his father Estate in Georgia and settle up the

estate there Nut at that time the money due from the cuntry could not

be paid he then took a leuutenants place in the army against the indians

it was not long before he had to return to Agusta Town again in consequence

of sickness he put up in a tavern there kept by a man by the n:ame of

Dersery after being there 5 or 6 days he died. This man Dersery then

administered on his Estate which was one horse (

) and trunk and

tools

Signed James Davis

Another letter in same Pension Records relating to Thomas Morris

25-a

Norforke June 19th 1849
Sirs As the Administrator of Capt. Thomas Morris I deem it my duty to request some information from you respecting the pay of officers serving in the Continental army in the revolutionary War. My Grand
Father was taken prisoner & was kept in prison bonds for more than
6 months and was then put on a parole of honor and sent to Virginia he then proceded to York Town where Gen Washington was then in camp, while there he caught samll pox and Died in 1781. ..
Signed
Mary B. Davis

26-a

REVOLUTION WAR PENSION RECORD
Smith, Henry Elizabeth

w. 9300

State of Kentucky Harlan County

On this day of August 1834 personnelly appeared before John A. Andrews

a Justice of the Peace for the County aforesaid Henry Smith (whom I certify
to be too infern to attend court) a resident of said county and male

aforesaid as he believes seventy four or five years who being first duly

sworn according to law doth on his oath make the following declaration

in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of

Congress passed June 7, 1832 that he enlisted in the Army of the United

States in the year (now forgotten) in Brunswick County in the State of

Virginia for three years and before the State Oath was

and his

term of service would have expired on the 1st of September after the taking

of Savannah by the British in the State of Georgia. He enlisted under

Capt. Andrew (Cates) who lived in Brunswick County Va. but he understood

his commission was to enlist soldiers for the State of Georgia in continental

establishment. He enlisted as stated for three years in the line of the

State of Georgia the time and place he has reffered to as near as his

memory will permit. He understood that his enlistment was in the 3rd

Georgia Regiment in the Georgia line continental establishmen. His Col.

was a Georgian and he does not remember his name as he did not appear

on parade more than two or three times before he was removed or resigned

(

) quarters at Savannah in Georgia

from Brunswick County Va. and continued to command the company for about

one year when he was cashered and then Captain Gidian Booker took the command

shortly after Booker came in, he turned out in a light infantry company

under Capt. Clien Nash which belonged to the third Reg.d afsad. After

the removal or resignation of the first Colo. whose name he does not now

reme'lllber Colo. Mcintosh took the command under whom he served until he

was taken prisoner by the Brittis.h at Sunsbury in Georgia nine days after

Savannah in Ga. was first taken by the Brittish. The manner in which he

was taken he will explain He was detached from the Regt. under Capt. Clein

Nash whose company was accompanied by Captain Isaac Hix belonging to the

same Regt. These two companies dispached by the order of Genl. Robert

Howe of the State of Georgia to protect the frontiers from the Indian

and Florida Scouts. Th~ two capts. afor. marched their companies - called

the Indian old towns on the River Ogeechee in Georgia when they had not

been there but a . few days, when an express ordered them back to Savannah

and on the return they were met by an express from Genl. Howe afor. to

detach a part of each company (one of which he was to go to Sunsbury to

Maj- Layne stationed there and who was Maj. of the Regt. aforesaid a

company was formed out of the two afo. the Commander forgotten, but

believed to be a Lieutenat and march to Sunsbury shortly after they reached

there (about five days) the Brittish took possion of the T9wn but they

kept possesion of the fort three days and nights when Maj. Layne surrendered

them Prisoners of War on the 9th of Janary as he now believes before the

experation of his term of Enlistment for three years which would have been

on the 13th day of Sept. following. He with other prisoners were taken

forthwith to the mouth of the Savannah River and confined on board a

Brittish Prison Ship where he remained six months and nine days estimating

27-a

it from the day he was taken prisoner when he enlisted in the Brittish

Service and during the War against his own country he got no bounty, but

he took the oath of allegiance to King George the Third nothing but a hope to

save his life (expesed) by a crowded prison and bad health induced him

to do so. Though he took the oath and at the same time intended to violate

it. it was to escape from a prison of death He then entered the ranks

of the Brittish Army and remained with them performing duty until the

2 or 3rd of Sept. (The 13th of the month being the end of his enlistment

in the U.S. Army) when he deserted and went to Charlseton .S.C. and reported

himself to Genl. Lincoln who gave a discharge signed by one of his aides.

(

) which discharge he (-------

----~) went (____) Peter River in S.C. and remained there about four or five months when he enterd the service for those months in South Carolina about fifteen miles from Cheraw Hills as a substitute for a man (whose name he does not recollect) in a company commanded by Capt. Rush in the Battalion commanded by Maj. John Jackson he does not remember that they had a Colo. He was marehed from Pedee directly to Charlseton in S.C. after remaining there until the close of his tour (three months) he was honorably discharged by Genl. Lincoln about three days after the Brittish had commenced the seige which led to the surrender which was about two weeks after his term of service had expired The discharge he has long since lost he then forthwith returned to Pedee River near Cheraw Hills his lieutenat was named William Wall in his Enlistment for three years but he resigned before his term expired.

Signed by Henry Smith

28-a
Pension Record of Zachariah Reed #35615 and BLWt 182-100
State of Kentucky
Boone . County Court Feby 1819 This day personelly appeared in Open Court the subscriber Zachariah Reed and made the following Statement That he is aged Fifty Seven years, now a resident of this County. That in the month of March in the year 1777 he enlisted as a private soldier to serve during the war then existing between the Americans & British. That the company in which he enlisted was commanded by Capt. Joseph Lane in the regiment commanded by Col. James Scriven which regiment was stationed and acted in the State of Georgia, and belonged to the Georgia line in the Continental Establishment. That he continued in the Service until the Year 1779 and then in consequence of a wound which he recieved from the bursting of a musket he was honourable discharged from the service. That while he was in the battle at Midway Meeting house in St. Johns Parish - also at the Battle at Sunbury and taken a prisoner - That he has lost his discharge and the evidence which he could get of his services would not avail anything - That from his reduced circumstance in his life he stands in need of assistance from his country for support that in (1808) he was allowed a pension of thirty dollars per year in consequence of his wound as an invalid which he has regulurly drawn and that he was not at present nor has he at any time recieved any other pension from this or any other pension from this or any other Government '"'" That the foregoing statement is made by the act of Congress entitled an act to provide for certain persons engaged in the land & naval Service of the United States in the revolutionary war.
Given under my hand the 1st day of Feby 1819
by his Zachariah Reed mark

29-a
Alexander Macomb Correspondence concerning Sunbury.
Extract of Letter - War Department to Alexander Macomb, January 26, 1808
You will, in the meantime, after taken measures for the conunencement of the defense of Charleston, repair to Savannah and direct the necessary measures for erecting an Enclosed work of two hundred & fifty feet square, with a revelin from each side, with a magazine and barracks for two hundred men and for a battery of four Guns, at five fathom hole; and a similar battery at Tibee Island, and also a battery for four Guns at Point Fetes St. Mary's and a battery for two Guns at or near Sunbury. . ..
In response .to the above order concerning Sunbury, Alex. Macomb wrote the following to the Secretary of War on November 1, 1808.
November 1, 1808
Sunbury
On inspecting the Town and Vincinity of Sunbury I could not discover any one position that was advantageous for the Battery proposed in IllY instructions: Indeed the only proper defence is some heavy peices mounted on travelling carriages, so as to enable the artillery tb take such positions as might be best adapted to frustrate any attempts which and enemy's vessels might take for insulting or injuring the Town or its neighborhood. And I be leave to offer, for the security of Sunbury the following defence, with which the Inhabitants have expressed a perfect satisfaction. Two eighteen pounders Mounted in like manner - also one hundred stand of arms - One small arsenal to contain the arms and one powder magazine and an artillery shed: the whole to be inclosed with a wall to which might be added Barracks for 30 or 40 men.

30-a
Captain William McRee Correspondence concerning Sunbury
Letter Major Swift to Captain William McRee in Savannah, July 24, 1812
Head Quarters Moultrie ville 24th July 1812
Sir,
It is desirable to Know what can be done for the Defense of Sunbury in Georgia. - I wish you to communicate with some one at or near Sunbury and learn the number of Cannon and their calibie that may be at Sunbury, - Could a small Battery be usefully posited for the defense of the place, How large a work and materials necessary, what depth of water on the Bar, .and is there any healthy position in the vacinity of Sunbury.
I am Respectfully Sir
Signed J. Swift
Letter, Extract, Captain McRee to now Col. Swift, Aug. 16, 1812. in response to Swifts July 24th letter.
Savannah 16 August 1812
Sir,
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of 24 July ~---.
I have had some conversations (and the subject of your letter) with Mr. Elliot of Sunbury a gentleman of information and representative of that place in the State legislature. He informs me, --- the inhabitants are erecting two batteries and have two Mines and some other pieces of smaller caliber either mounted or (moving) --- but no ammunition.
The town is open to the sea (---which is) about seven miles distant, it is the healthiest spot in: its vicinity and is the resort of the neighbouring planters during the sickly months - ...- It is situated on a sand bluff about 20 feet higher than the water -- of earth batteries may be erected in abundance and (hopefully) cheap. If fixed an permanent works might be built, two at least are necessary one at (south) end of the town; as a vessel that would succeed in approaching would be at liberty to lay secure from the fire of any single battery.
I recollect a final! hammock or island between the town and bar -- which Col. Macomb and myself examined in 1808 and founq to have an excellent command of the channel which is here very narrow ~-- But is a site for an open battery the objection against it is conclusive. It has only awater communication with

3l~a
Letter, McRee to Swift
the mainland and is quite beyond the reach of either protection or support. For maratime defense --when(----) will act out their use. I am
decidedly in favor of the use of using artillery on travelling carriages to be protected earth (----) at the different proper points of action: and I am acquainted with no sites uniting advantages, better (situated) to ensure success to this descrip of defenses than Sunbury .
(signed) W. McRee
Letter Extract, Col. Swift to Captain McRee Sept. 2, 1812 - Acknowledges McRees report on Sunbury
Head Quarters 2nd Sept. 1812 Sir Your Report of 16th Aug. ha:B been duly rec . - .
I thank you for your remarks on Sunbury & shall bear tbem in mind ..
signed J. Swift

... - - -- - ... - ...~-. . . ... - .. .. ..-. - - .. - . --- -- . --. .

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32-a

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Portion of the coastal area and islands map which was supposedly made by an unknown engineering officer for Lt. Col. Archibald Campbell. Map proportions are not correct, but the map does indicate the presence of a fort south of the Town of Sunbury. Map dated as c. 1780. (See note # 70 for citation.)

PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE EARTHWORK NEAR SUNBURY, GEORGIA
by
David J. Kaminsky

The east ditch of Sunbury Fort, facing the Midway River,

The interior of Sunbury Fort, looking in a southeasterly direction.

& N

Entrance on the western edge of Sunbury Fort.

Exterior of western wall of Sunbury Fort.

Photograph taken of the top of the ditch on the southeastern corner of the fort showing St. Catherine's Sound and Midway River.