A STORY OF THE CIVIL WAR'S CLOSE
by JOSEPH A. ALTSHELER
This book, now in the public domain in the USA, was originally:
COPYRIGHT, 1916, BY D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
Copyright, 1944, By Sallie B. Altsheler
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
APPLETON-CENTURY-CROFTS, INC.
NEW YORK
"The Tree of Appomattox" concludes the series of connected romancesdealing with the Civil War, begun in "The Guns of Bull Run," andcontinued successively through "The Guns of Shiloh," "The Scouts ofStonewall," "The Sword of Antietam," "The Star of Gettysburg," "TheRock of Chickamauga" and "The Shades of the Wilderness" to the presentvolume. It has been completed at the expense of vast labor, and theauthor has striven at all times to be correct, wherever facts areinvolved. So far, at least, no historic detail has been challenged bycritic or reader.
More than half a century has passed since the Civil War's close. Notmany of the actors in it are left. It was one of the most tremendousupheavals in the life of any nation, and it was the greatest of allstruggles, until the World War began, but scarcely any trace ofpartisan rancor or bitterness is left. So, it has become easier towrite of it with a sense of fairness and detachment, and the lapse oftime has made the perspective clear and sharp.
However lacking he may be in other respects, the author perhaps had anadvantage in being born, and having grown up in a border state, wheresentiment was about equally divided concerning the Civil War. He wassurrounded during his early youth by men who fought on one side or theother, and their stories of camp, march and battle were almost a partof the air he breathed. So he hopes that this circumstance has aidedhim to give a truthful color to the picture of the mighty combat, wagedfor four such long and terrible years.
THE CIVIL WAR SERIES
VOLUMES IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES
THE GUNS OF BULL RUN.
THE GUNS OF SHILOH.
THE SCOUTS OF STONEWALL.
THE SWORD OF ANTIETAM.
THE STAR OF GETTYSBURG.
THE ROCK OF CHICKAMAUGA.
THE SHADES OF THE WILDERNESS.
THE TREE OF APPOMATTOX.
PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS IN THE CIVIL WAR SERIES
HARRY KENTON, A Lad Who Fights on the Southern Side.
DICK MASON, Cousin of Harry Kenton, Who Fights on the Northern Side.
COLONEL GEORGE KENTON, Father of Harry Kenton.
MRS. MASON, Mother of Dick Mason.
JULIANA, Mrs. Mason's Devoted Colored Servant.
COLONEL ARTHUR WINCHESTER, Dick Mason's Regimental Commander.
COLONEL LEONIDAS TALBOT, Commander of the Invincibles,
a Southern Regiment.
LIEUTENANT COLONEL HECTOR ST. HILAIRE, Second in Command of the
Invincibles.
ALAN HERTFORD, A Northern Cavalry Leader.
PHILIP SHERBURNE, A Southern Cavalry Leader.
WILLIAM J. SHEPARD, A Northern Spy.
DANIEL WHITLEY, A Northern Sergeant and Veteran of the Plains.
GEORGE WARNER, A Vermont Youth Who Loves Mathematics.
FRANK PENNINGTON, A Nebraska Youth, Friend of Dick Mason.
ARTHUR ST. CLAIR, A Native of Charleston, Friend of Harry Kenton.
TOM LANGDON, Friend of Harry Kenton.
GEORGE DALTON, Friend of Harry Kenton.
BILL SKELLY, Mountaineer and Guerrilla.
TOM SLADE, A Guerrilla Chief.
SAM JARVIS, The Singing Mountaineer.
IKE SIMMONS, Jarvis' Nephew.
AUNT "SUSE," A Centenarian and Prophetess.
BILL PETTY, A Mountaineer and Guid