Garryown March the 8th 1865
Sir your letter of the 13th I received, And I now write to inform you that I got my son's body buried at home where himself desired to have it and it is consoling to me and to his Father to have it buried here. Though we mourn his loss and deeply afflicted by his death yet I hope that he is now in Heaven a way from the sorrows of this world.
My husband being ill he could not go there to get the body but I sent my son John after it he serched Jeffersonville and Louisville Ky. for it. he found it buried in New Albany, Ind. and got his effects on the boat Ginnie Hopkins they were in care of the Surgent. My son said that the Surgent have acted very kind to his Brother and so did Mr. Purdy and I am very thankful to the gentlemen for their generous feeling and sympathy to my son Michael. And my thanks are due to you Sir for your kindness to him. for what I see and hear you have done as much for him as / could be done not even if he was your own son you could do any more. I hope that God will reward you for it, for He only can and it is my sincere prayer. The body was not embalmed for the surgent had not the instruments for so doing.
You stated that you have a letter from his Cousin Honora she will be surprised when she will hear of his death for she is my brother's daughter had been corsponding with him since he went to the army and he will be deeply regretted by his five Uncles and numerous cousins and friends that are living there
Her address is as follows
Miss. Honora OLeary, Mount Morris
Morris P.O. Livingston Co, N.Y.
Once more thanking you for your kindness and also for writing to me so correct a bout such important matters. I am Sir with
respect your's much obliged
Mrs Mary Sullivan.
To Lt. Col. J. C. Smith