This letter was written by Henry VanSchaick Colt (1826-1906), the son of Charles Colt (1793-1866) and Ann Smith (1798-1853), and the brother of the famous firearms manufacturer, Samuel Colt. During the Civil War, Henry served as the Major of the 104th New York Infantry and was assigned to command the Elmira Prison Camp in July 1864 after suffering an accidental injury. He was the commandant from July 1864 through December 1864.
This letter is historic for it communicates the highly controversial policy established by the camp requiring that only “grey or dark-mixed color” outer clothing could be worn by the prisoners confined at Elmira Prison. Even during the brutal winter of 1864-65 when Confederate prisoners were exposed to sub-freezing temperatures, prison officials burned clothing that did not conform to the rule. This strict policy led to an unnecessarily high mortality rate.
T R A N S C R I P T I O N
Prison Camp, Elmira, New York
October 29, 1864
Madam,
Your note to Col. [Benjamin F.] Tracy has been handed me for reply.
The rules require that all outer clothing sent to prisoners shall be of grey or dark-mixed color.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, — Henry V. Colt, Major, 104th NYS Vols., Commanding Prison Camp
Mrs. J. E. Bestor, 166 High Street, Baltimore, Maryland
