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Ammandale near Jackson Mi. July 15, 1862 My Dear [Gen?] Your favor of the 6th [inst?] by Mercer reached me two days ago. It was exceedingly welcome, on personal accounts; & especially for the reasons that it breathed forth in few words the strong desires of a soul that was thinking for Christian inter-course and communion. I suppose it is natural for us when we are afflicted or troubled in any way, to enquire, only is it that the Lord deals then with us? Why does he then hide his countenance from us? [Now?], I have often, & especially during the last 3 months, have, I, [communed?] with my [own?] heart & most frequently during the hours of darkness and asked myself why it was, that the Lord had led me mysteriously from my home & family, & laid me on a bed of pain and brought me down to the very [lair?] of the [pit?], and cut me off, for a season, from the hope and possibility of a return. And
