Eleazer Oswald Accidentally Starts The Retreat at Monmouth
Eleazer Oswald was an Artillery Commander in the Continental Army when he accidentally ruined the career of Charles Lee.
Oswald went on to become a prominent Anti-Federalist as even acted as a Secret Agent for France during the Napoleonic Wars.
Published 7/15/20 - Updated 11/29/21
Eleazer Oswald
Eleazer Oswald immigrated from England to British North America as a teenager.
Oswald settled in Connecticut, but soon joined the Revolutionary War.
He was one of the small group of militiamen who followed Benedict Arnold and Ethan Allen to Fort Ticonderoga, taking that strategic location in the earliest days of the hostilities.
Quebec
Oswald appears to have respected Arnold’s leadership (as many did at the time) and accompanied him on the long trek through the Maine wilderness.
During the Battle of Quebec, Eleazer was wounded and taken prisoner.
He spent an entire year in captivity before his return to the Continental Army in a prisoner exchange.
Artillery Commander
Oswald was given an officers commission and placed in charge of Charles Lee’s artillery.
This position made him the number two artilleryman in the army, after Henry Knox.
At the Battle of Monmouth, Eleazer was assisting some of his men in removing broken cannons. Lee witnessed this and, when told what was happening, gave permission to continue.
Unfortunately, some other officers saw this from afar and, thinking it was a retreat, ordered their men to leave the field.
As the accidental retreat expanded from unit to unit until Lee could not contain it and ordered a general retreat.
Fallout
George Washington arrived with the Main Army soon afterward and famously lost his temper at Lee.
As for Oswald, when the general retreat began, he turned around and covered his fellow soldiers with cannonfire.
In fact, while Charles Lee later received a court martial, Eleazer was complimented for his actions that day.
Anti-Federalist
Upset at the treatment of Lee, and further angered with his own lack of promotion, Oswald left the Continental Army shortly after Monmouth.
He worked at or started several newspapers throughout the young nation, with the most noteworthy being the Independent Gazetteer which promoted Anti-Federalist principles and attempted to stop ratification of the Constitution.
Secret Agent
Eventually, Oswald sailed for Europe where he joined the French in their war against the rest of the continent.
After proving himself in several battles, Eleazer began working for the French as a secret agent.
He spent time in Ireland just as anti-British sentiment was building in that part of the empire.
By 1795, he sailed back to New York. Sadly, upon his arrival he caught yellow fever and passed away shortly after his return.
Here are some other PRINTERS of the American Revolution:
Recruiting Canada - Fleury Mesplet’s French Canadian American Revolution
Mary Katherine Goddard Reveals the Signers of the Declaration
Writing Wrongs - Anthony Haswell’s Divisive Content
Printing’s place in Revolutionary politics is essential to a full understanding of the American Founding
‘Revolutionary Networks’ is a great work on this subject. While it is certainly high level reading, it is a must to understanding the propaganda of the age.
If you’d like a copy you can get one through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same).
Want to get fun American Revolution articles straight to your inbox every morning?
Subscribe to my email list here.
You can also support this site on Patreon by clicking here.
Thanks for your support!
