"The Shades of the Wilderness" by Joseph A. Altsheler is a novel set during the American Civil War, specifically after the Battle of Gettysburg. Lee's army is retreating, wounded soldiers fill the wagons, and Harry Kenton, a young Confederate cavalryman, is sent to observe and report on the enemy's movements. Harry reflects on the loss of the Confederate army's lieutenant, Stonewall Jackson, and his belief that they could have won the battle if Jackson had been there. Despite the victory, Harry feels melancholic about the loss of so many men. Harry's friends, St. Clair and Langdon, who are also wounded, are in high spirits and believe that they will win the next battle. Harry, however, is more contemplative and less optimistic about the future. The novel is an exploration of the emotional and psychological impact of war on soldiers, and their deep sense of loyalty to their cause and their leaders.