During this Sesquicentennial of America's Civil War, much activity is taking place. Battlefields are witnessing more visitation than ever; television programming is featuring new as well as classic Civil War themed shows; and an increasing amount of books about Civil War subjects are appearing.
The year 2013 promises to be an exciting and interesting year for the anniversary. There's no denying that the July 1863 Battle of Gettysburg is the most recognizable battle for most people, and the commemoration events (including the reenactment) of the battle, by all estimations, will be observed and attended by a very large number of people.
2013 also promises to be a landmark year with the airing of an eight-part television mini-series about the Civil War called "To Appomattox." Written by the superbly talented script writer Michael Frost Beckner (known for the television series The Agency and CSI as well as the movie Spy Game) and directed by Mikael Solomon (whose directing talent has been showcased by series such as Band of Brothers and Rome), "To Appomattox" carries as its dramatic spine the memoirs of Ulysses S. Grant. Main characters Grant, William T. Sherman, Robert E. Lee and James Longstreet are followed from their West Point careers to the end of the war in the East at Appomattox Court House and beyond.
J.D. has been honored and humbled to muster on with the project as Historical Advisor. One of the primary concerns of all involved is to keep the presentation historically accurate within the dramatic framework. Beckner is a life-long historian with ancestors who fought during the war, and his script is human, gritty, tender, and revealing - just as was the true history of the war, its people, and its time. J.D. is working with the production crew and cast to advise about those topics so important to presenting a historically-based event, helping to provide a window into one of the signal events of this Nation.
Filming is set to begin in the spring of 2012, and the network will be announced shortly. One of today's most popular music groups, Rascal Flatts, is scoring the music. Below are some of the present cast members (subject to deals being finalized). Check back here for updates and new information.
