The Tree of Appomattox

"The Tree of Appomattox" by Joseph A. Altsheler is a historical novel that concludes a series about the American Civil War, focusing on characters like Dick Mason and his cousin Harry Kenton, who are on opposing sides. It looks into family loyalty, the terrible parts of war, and how both Northern and Southern soldiers are eventually worn out as their destinies meet. The story starts with Dick Mason, a young Union officer, wanting apples from a big tree during the war. As he talks to his friends, the story shows the tough realities of where they are—the trenches of Petersburg, the remains of a battlefield, and the sadness that war causes on both sides. Dick is also worried about his Southern cousin, Harry, which makes things even more complicated as the possibility of facing his family highlights the tough struggles within the civil war.