Richard Yates to John Olney

State of Illinois

Executive Department.

Springfield March 14. 1862

Col Olney.

Dear Sir. Your letter is a great one. Just what I expected, all the blame is to rest on me. I suppose all the blame for Gen. Grant's and Gen McClernand's and your own appointment is also to rest on me. The truth is there is no blame on me. I thought the appointment a good one because the Companies wanted and preferred him. You wanted to go into his Regiment. I regret that you and Col. Cavanaugh could not have agreed. If you could have agreed, your influence over him would have prevented the present unfortunate state of affairs.

I have written Hallick to make the change you refer to,

but I communicate the fact to you in the strictest secrecy, and shall consider that you do me great injustice if you communicate it to any one, for though circumstances render it improper for him to hold the Command longer yet he has many traits of goodness in him, and I think under kind influences would have made a good officer.

Respectfully

Richd. Yates

Copy to Col Olney

Affairs of the 6th Cavy.