page_title: Come and take it
section_title: American Revolutionary War
hierarchical_section_title: Come and take it / American Revolutionary War
caption_attribution_description: English: Fort Morris historical marker, Georgia, US This is an image of a place or building that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in the United States of America. Its reference number is 70000208 More images
context_page_description: "Come and take it" is a historic slogan, first used in 480 BC in the Battle of Thermopylae as "Molon labe" by Spartan King Leonidas I as a defiant answer and last stand to the surrender demanded by the Persian Army, and later in 1778 at Fort Morris in the Province of Georgia during the American revolution, and in 1835 at the Battle of Gonzales during the Texas Revolution.
context_section_description: Sunbury, Georgia, is now a ghost town, though in the past it was active as a port, located east of Hinesville.  Fort Morris was constructed in Sunbury by the authority of the Continental Congress.  A contingent of British soldiers attempted to take the fort on November 25, 1778.  The American contingent at Fort Morris was led by Colonel John McIntosh (c. 1748–1826).  The Americans numbered only 127 Continental soldiers plus militiamen and local citizens. The fort itself was crudely constructed and could not have withstood any concerted attack.
  The British commander, Colonel Fuser, demanded Fort Morris' surrender through a written note to the American rebels. Though clearly outnumbered (he had only about 200 men plus artillery), Colonel McIntosh's defiant written response to the British demand included the following line: "As to surrendering the fort, receive this laconic reply: COME AND TAKE IT!".  The British declined to attack, in large part due to their lack of intelligence regarding other forces in the area. Colonel Fuser believed a recent skirmish in the area, combined with Colonel McIntosh's bravado, might have reflected reinforcements and so the British withdrew.
  The British returned in January 1779 with a larger force. They later conquered and controlled nearly all of Georgia for the next few years.  Col. McIntosh's defiance was one successful and heroic event which inspired the patriots as the War moved to the Carolinas and then north.
  The Fort Morris Historical Marker is on Martin Road, Midway, Georgia. It is located at the visitor center for the Fort Morris Historic Site. The center is located off Fort Morris Road, at the end of the Colonels Island Highway (Georgia Route 38). The marker memorializes the battle and notes the "Come and Take It!" response.
  In recognition of his valor of defending Fort Morris in Sunbury, McIntosh was awarded a sword by the Georgia Legislature with the words "Come and Take It" engraved on the blade.  McIntosh later served in the War of 1812 as an American General, still protecting the Georgia coast. He served honorably, receiving honors from the City of Savannah for his service.
caption: Fort Morris historical marker with "Come and take it!"
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