How does the author describe reconstruction following the civil war in the text

third person

explanation:

note the usage of names and pronouns, "james" & "the old man". this alone can confirm it as third person, as first person uses "i" and the like, while second person uses "you" and the like.

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it wouldnt be considered cheating as long as you dont copy the answered we give here word from word.

also remember that some online schools have things that can tell if you have copy and pasted anything into your report.

not sure maybe the subject closer to it or subject-verb agreement