General Obdam
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
General Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam (1635 - 1714) was a Dutch general in the War of Spanish Succession.
He was the son of the famous Dutch Admiral with the same name Jacob van Wassenaer Obdam.
Unlike his father, he chose for a career in the army.
In 1702 he led the siege of Venlo, not completely to the satifaction of Marlborough , his superior.
In 1703 his army of 10,000 men was surrounded by 40,000 French, which resulted in the Battle of Ekeren.
Considering all hope for a breakthrough lost, Obdam abandoned his army and escaped with 30 men, disguising themselfs as Frenchmen. When he arrived in the Netherlands he wrote a letter admiting the total destruction of his army.
But the army, now under General Slangenburg, had forced an escape route late in the evening and saved itself.
Obdam's behavior wasn't forgiven and his military career was finished.
He was appointed Governor of 's Hertogenbosch and became Ambassador to the Elector Palatine between 1708 and 1712.
