In 1896, the Ladies of the Grand Army of the Republic began a project to bring trees from Civil War Battlefields to Capitol Park in Sacramento as a memorial to the men who fought to save the Union. On May 1, 1897, a great dedication ceremony was held as 40 battlefield trees were planted amid great fanfare. Today, only a few of the original trees remain. This is the story of this unique Civil War Memorial--as it was and as it is today.

While known for its connection to the Gold Rush Era, Sacramento had a rich history connected with the Civil War. Famous personalities such as William T. Sherman visited the city prior to the war. Feuds, duels and the only Confederate Flag "captured" in California occured on the streets of the city. After the war, the old veterans moved west to Sacramento and provided a rich history to the central valley town. Even today, the Civil War lives on with several groups still working to preserve Sacramento's Civil War legacy. The book includes three walking tours of Civil War sites within the city...