R. E. Goodell to Richard Yates

St Louis

June 27, 1865

Hon R. Yates

I was up at Ft. Leavenworth last week. Met Col. Potter there, he is very anxious to be promoted in the regular army He is now only a captain or Major and I know that others have been promoted in the regular Army that are not as worthy as Potter. I have thought that you could probably assist him in his promotion without interfering with any one of your more [illegible] & [both?] friends

rights. He claims to be from Ill. as his only relations being there & if he went out of service he should go to Ill to live. He looks upon you as his personal friend and thinks that there is no one in our state in the regular Army that has the same claims he has for promotion by "Brevet" He enclosed me a note as I came away perhaps there is no harm in my sending it to you Would like to have you return it to me here if not troubling you too much.

The other case mentioned

to you in Chicago the papers will be sent you soon. Such cases as that (ie getting transferred to the regular Army) will be competed for by many I presume in our state, but I hope you will Keep my friend Carrie in mind.

The Potter case I think you could accomplish just on your picking a srgeant when you are in Washington as I see they have been very liberal in their "Brevets" lately.

Should be pleased to hear from you. Address me here & oblige

Your friend, R. E. Goodell

R. E. Gooddell & Capt Potter

July 21 186 sent letter for Potter to Goddell.