2

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