Princeton Battle Monument - Princeton, NJ
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 40° 20.875 W 074° 39.948
18T E 528381 N 4466427
The Princeton Battle Monument is located in a park between Routes 206 and 27 in Princeton, NJ
Waymark Code: WMHRK1
Location: New Jersey, United States
Date Posted: 08/09/2013
Views: 1
A 40' Beaux Arts style high relief sculpture honors the men of the Continental Army who fought and won the battle of Princeton on January 3, 1777. In this battle Brigadier General Hugh Mercer and the Continental Army fought against a British force led by Lieutenant Colonel Charles Mawhood. After General Mercer's position was overrun Washington sent reinforcements under Brigadier General John Cadwalader. Washington then arrived with more troops, rallied the army, and forced Colonel Charles Mawhood to retreat back to Trenton.
The Indiana limestone sculpture rests on a granite base. The sculpture was created by Frederick William MacMonnies, Thomas Hastings was the architect, Marion Sims the architect, and the Piccirilli Brothers Marble Carving Studios did the fabrication. The sculpture was dedicated on June 9, 1922.
The high-relief grouping depicts General George Washington facing north. He is wearing a tri-corner hat and cloak while mounted on a horse. He is surrounded by seven of his soldiers in various positions. Immediately below Washington is an allegorical female figure representing Liberty. Surrounding them are seven wounded Revolutionary War soldiers standing, crouching, kneeling and lying down.
The sides of the monument are carved with reliefs of sarcophagi and obelisks that are decorated with trees and weapons and the seals of the states of the original colonies and the seal of the United States.
On the back is the following inscription:
HERE MEMORY LINGERS/TO RECALL
THE GUIDING MIND
WHOSE DARING PLAN
OUTFLANKED THE FOE
AND TURNED DISMAY TO HOPE
WHEN WASHINGTON
WITH SWIFT RESOLVE
MARCHED THROUGH THE NIGHT
TO FIGHT AT DAWN
AND VENTURE ALL
IN ONE VICTORIOUS BATTLE
FOR OUR FREEDOM