Fort Morris

 In the face of an invading British and Loyalist force from East Florida, Gen. Robert Howe ordered a general retreat of American forces including those at Fort Morris.  The garrison commander at Fort Morris, Maj. Joseph Lane, refused to abandon Fort Morris. On January 6, 1779, British forces under Gen. Augustine Prevost began their siege of Fort Morris. Over the next few days, the Americans withstood the British artillery bombardment.  On January 9, British attacks and artillery fire became too much for the Americans within Fort Morris and Maj. Lane surrendered Fort Morris.

The capture of Fort Morris was an integral part of the planned invasion of Georgia by the British. Success there allowed Gen. Provost to move his forces northward to Savannah and successfully defend that city from Franco-American attack later in the year. The surrounding village of Sunbury was also a major port at the time and may have subsequently aided in supplying the British.