American soil is under attack, the nation engaged in its most unpopular war. The population is divided on every political and social issue. In the White House, sits the most hated President in American history—believed by more than half the citizens to have stolen the election to his first term; when he runs for his second term, he will barely beat a war hero Democrat who campaigns on a popular anti-war platform. Inept generals will make a mockery of predictions of easy initial victory; in Congress, anti-administration committees will convene to investigate the conduct of this war. As the war drags on over years (instead of months), the United States will lose its overseas allies while introducing the world to weapons and tactics more devastating than ever before seen… Yet, at the end of it all, the color barrier between black and white in America will be transformed forever and our nation will become a beacon of hope to the world.

The similarities between now and then are startling and provide a wonderful contemporary, unique lens for historical drama.

Dramatically, it can be viewed as JOHN ADAMS meets BAND OF BROTHERS: a historically accurate series that thrives upon the emotional lives of American icons against a backdrop of a war that has never been accurately or fully portrayed.

Last week, I was asked to join the list of historical consultants for the upcoming mini-series To Appomattox. The series is being written and produced by Michael Beckner, who has been the driving force behind a number of popular movies and television series. The series is intended to focus on the people who fought the Civil War, and not necessarily on the battles themselves. The series has Ulysses S. Grant as its focus, but it is as comprehensive a look at the Civil War as any eight-hour series could hope to be. All of the major engagements east of the Mississippi River are covered, some in more detail than others.

There has been some criticism of this series because it will include cameo appearances by a number of NASCAR drivers and country music performers. I have to admit that I had some of the same questions then too, but I now understand. The NASCAR drivers and country music performers are all folks who have a deep and abiding interest in the Civil War, and many, if not most, of them have ancestors who fought. They’re enthusiastic supporters and participants in order to pay tribute to their ancestors, and I respect that motivation a great deal. None of them will have a major role; serious, talented actors like William Petersen will play the important roles.

The cast associated with this series largely consists of A-list talent. Again, many of them had ancestors who fought, and many are involved to pay tribute to those ancestors. As just one example, Bill Paxton, who is a well-respected actor, has been cast to play Stonewall Jackson. If you didn’t know the back story, that casting choice might be easy to criticize. However, when you learn that Bill Paxton had an ancestor who fought under Jackson in the Stonewall Brigade, then the choice makes a lot of sense. My understanding is that he asked to play Jackson as a result. I believe that may of the other cast members have the same or similar motivations.

Some of the best known names presently working in Civil War history have signed on as historical consultants for this series, including Ed Bearss, Gordon Rhea, Scott Hartwig, Mark Snell, and lots of others, and my good friend and writing partner, J. D. Petruzzi, is the primary historical advisor. All of us are determined to make certain that this story is told as accurately and as fully as possible within the operative parameters. I know that’s my primary motivation here, and I likewise know it’s J.D.’s because we’ve discussed it at length.

I have read the scripts of all eight episodes and have provided feedback on all. I can’t get into specifics, so I won’t. You will just have to take my word for it that I’m impressed with Michael Beckner’s devotion to getting it right and to telling the story as accurately as possible. In some places, some literary license sis needed to keep things moving along, and I’m sure that some hardcore Civil War buffs will be bothered by that. However, while I have pointed out a few things, I am generally very impressed with the level of accuracy involved and with how well Mr. Beckner has portrayed the interpersonal relationships between the key players to this Greek tragedy.

Filming begins in April and will continue for several months. The series is planned to air in 2013. I’m honored to have been asked to be part of it, and I have taken my responsibility of trying to insure that the story is told as accurately as possible very seriously. As more details become available, I will pass them along.

If ratings are high enough and the network deems TO APPOMATTOX successful "business," we plan to continue following the characters through two more "seasons." These would cover "Reconstruction" then "The Indian Wars." That's where we'll find (God willing) Grant's world tour.

JACKSON'S DIVISION, Brig.-Gen. William B. Taliaferro :—First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. E. F. Paxton; 2d Va., Capt. J. Q. A. Nadenbousch; 4th Va., Lieut.-Col. R. D. Gardner, Maj. William Terry ; 5th Va., Lieut.-Col. H. J. Williams; 27th Va., Lieut.-Col. J. K. Edmondson; 33d Va., Col. Edwin G. Lee.

Country star Trace Adkins is fronting a new campaign to preserve America's Civil War battlefields. The "Chrome" singer appeared at a hearing before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies at Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, April 14 and highlighted the need for emphasis on preservation over the next five years, during the 150th anniversary period.

adkins told the politicians that he grew up with stories of his great-great grandfather Henry T. Morgan's military service in Louisiana, and that spurred a life-long love of Civil War history. He tells WENN, "American battlefields serve as monuments to what can happen when political wisdom fails and our differences are allowed to escalate beyond reason."

Alongside Civil War Trust president James Lighthizer, Adkins declared these years of the Civil War sesquicentennial anniversary "the opportune time to redouble efforts to forever protect these hallowed grounds".

Most of the photos are from a voice over session we did when creating some promotional material for our investors, producers, and other people involved in the production. Phil Conserva of CSI, and one of our producers, directed the session, and we were able to wrangle several of our actors to lend their voices. Had a blast doing it too.

Actor Stephen Lang portrayed James Jackson Purman - a Union first lieutenant who received the Medal of Honor for his actions at the Battle of Gettysburg. Mr. Lang presented Lieutenant Purman as if he were speaking in 1913 on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg. After the performance, Mr. Lang took questions about his career as an actor playing roles from various military eras in television and film, and in his one-man play Beyond Glory, based on a book by journalist Larry Smith. In his introduction Mr. Holzer talked about the 50th anniversary commemoration of the battle.

"Beyond Glory" was a program at the 16th annual Lincoln Forum Symposium, held November 18, 2011, at the Wyndham Hotel in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. "Lincoln and the Home Front: The Civil War Comes to Washington" was the second year of a five-year focus on the Civil War sesquicentennial.

@smashmode: @williamzabka @jason_omara @dicksp8jr how do you guys prepare to play historical figures?#toappomattox @ToAppomattox

“@jason_omara: .@smashmode good question. 9/10, the first and most important step is to grow a beard.”

@smashmode: @jason_omara how long does that take Jason? #toappomattox @ToAppomattox


“@jason_omara: .@smashmode for me, around 24 hours. You set 'em up, I knock 'em down!”

Bestselling and Award-winning Historian and Novelist Thomas Fleming wrote of my entire 10 hours of screenplay:

"Michael - I am mesmerized by what you've done. This is American history as it should be seen and understood -- a riveting mix of friendship and antagonisms, of hopes and disappointments, among men who are making the history and ordinary people who are living with the often appalling but somehow uplifting outcome... You are going to transform America's understanding of the Civil War.