At Princeton, George Washington marched through the night with swift resolve to fight at dawn, carrying out a daring plan that outflanked the enemy, turned dismay to hope, and risked all in a victorious battle for freedom. The Battle of Princeton took place on January 3, 1777. The monument depicts Liberty inspiring General Washington as he leads his troops into battle and the death of General Hugh Mercer. The seals of the United States and the original thirteen states appear on its sides, and the inscription on the back was composed by Andrew Fleming West. Commissioned in 1908, it was designed by Beaux Arts sculptor Frederick MacMonnies with the assistance of architect Thomas Hastings, and President Warren G. Harding was present for its 1922 dedication. In 2006, the Princeton Parks Alliance, carrying out the vision of Princeton Borough Major Joseph O’Neill, undertook a project to permanently illuminate it, funded by donations from local citizens, Princeton University, numerous named donors, and additional support from the State of New Jersey through the efforts of Assemblyman Reed Gusciora.