Oliver De Lancey (British Army and Auxiliary Legion officer)

Oliver De Lancey (1749 – 1822) was a British Army officer who served during the American Revolutionary War and later held several important administrative posts. He is best known for his involvement in recruiting and commanding loyalist troops, particularly De Lancey's Brigade, also known as De Lancey's Volunteers or the Auxiliary Legion.

Born into a prominent New York Loyalist family, De Lancey opted to remain loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolution. He received a commission in the British Army and quickly rose through the ranks. In 1776, he was authorized to raise a Loyalist regiment, which became De Lancey's Brigade. This unit consisted primarily of former New York residents who had remained loyal to the crown, as well as some individuals from other colonies. The brigade served actively throughout the war, participating in numerous engagements in the Mid-Atlantic region.

De Lancey was known for his energetic leadership and for the discipline he instilled in his troops. However, like many Loyalist units, De Lancey's Brigade faced challenges related to supplies, recruitment, and maintaining morale. They were often tasked with garrison duty, raiding, and counter-insurgency operations.

Following the British defeat in 1783, De Lancey emigrated to England, as did many other Loyalists. He was compensated for his losses in America and continued his career in the British Army. He later served in various administrative positions, including Barrack Master General, responsible for the housing and provisioning of British troops. He died in 1822.

De Lancey’s story represents the experiences of many Loyalists during the American Revolution – individuals forced to choose sides in a bitter conflict, often suffering greatly for their allegiance to the British Crown. His leadership of De Lancey's Brigade offers an important case study in the complexities of Loyalist military contributions during the war.