SYNOPSIS:

A young man learns are difficult lesson in standing up for personal rights during the US Civil War.

UNCIVIL WAR

Opening: Overview of a valley, with wind blowing, fog rolling in, various little noises. Sounds blend into the horses hooves clicking and pounding the ground. Shot blends into a group of grey dressed soldiers riding into a camp, with one of the soldiers courting the Confederate colors. The heads of the encamped men turn and observe, saluting, as the riders work their way deeper into the encampment. The shot switches to the middle of the camp, the focus narrows on to one of the riders; a slightly older gentleman greying with a greying beard, tired eyes riding a silver horse. Riding through he is eyeing and observing his weary but jovial men. He is all smiles till his eyes lock on to a young man, maybe late teens at best, staring into a camp fire. This boy is fixed to the fire not noticing his own tears slowly flowing down his dirty face. The old man slowly brings his horse to a stop and eases off the proud animal.

COLONEL

You boys take care of her (as he hands the reins off) get her ready for the night. I'll meet you in my tent in a little while.

SARGENT

Yes Sir. The Colonel walks over to the boy, who is still fixed on the fire. The boy is totally oblivious to his current company. The Colonel sit and observes the boy without speaking. The boy goes and wipe a tear from his muddy face an realizes that he has company. He starts to speak without noticing who he is addressing.

PRIVATE

Please, sir, could you leave me alone...

COLONEL

Now son, that is no way to talk to an officer or a gentleman. The private glances over and gives a look, as if his heart stopped.

PRIVATE

I'm sorry, sir. The young man pops to his feet and salutes. The Colonel returns the gesture.

COLONEL

As you were private. The boy sits.

COLONEL (CONT'D)

I see you are not as joyous after our victory today like the other men. It was quite an engagement.

PRIVATE

No, no, sir. I am not.

COLONEL

Might I ask, why not?

PRIVATE

It's a long story' sir. Personally, I would rather not talk about it.

COLONEL

I see you're from Virginia? 2nd Virginia regiment?

PRIVATE

Yes sir.

COLONEL

It's nice to talk to a boy from home.

PRIVATE

Thank you, sir.

COLONEL

No, thank you. Plus, I don't like to see my home folk in such despair.

PRIVATE

Sir, its just too hard to talk about it at this moment.

COLONEL

I understand son. I have to justify in my mind, sending you boys to engage the enemy knowing that a good deal of your men will not get to see their homes on this earth again.

PRIVATE

Well sir, that is part of my problem.

COLONEL

And why is that?

PRIVATE

Because of my actions today; I cannot face my home, my family, or my community again. I have disgraced my families name in the name of war.

COLONEL

But son, you are a Virginian and that you will always be.

PRIVATE

Sir, with all do respect, I reckon your are not understanding me, I will have to explain the painful details of what I have presented myself with.

COLONEL

Proceed private...

PRIVATE

My unit was hunkered behind a stone wall. The federal troops no more than 300 yards in front of us. As dialogue progresses it fades in the battle scene that follows the dialogue.

V.O. PRIVATE

Little did we know that this was Lincoln's precious Army of the Potomac. They just marched towards us and we opened up and turned them back after a procession of fire. They pressed us two or three more times. We cut them down on every advance.

V.O. COLONEL

I see..

V.O. PRIVATE

We heard them fall back and regroup, but this time they fixed bayonets. So, we quickly followed suit and they charged. We kept the advance slow for a minute or two with rifle fire, but they kept a commin'. I was three rows deep, they hit us so hard and quickly. A lot faster than I thought. Was fightin' pretty good 'till one of them blue coats hit me in the chest with the butt of his rifle. I hit the ground gasping for air, but kept fightin' him. Another one of our boys saved me by hitin' him across the head with the butt of his rifle. I stumbled to my feet to notice a smaller blue coat was chargin' at me and in defence I moved while keeping my rifle out and the fed impaled himself on my bayonet. He collapsed over my rifle and as this was happenin' our boys cut into a victory cheer cause they Union troops had turned back. Fades back to camp fire setting.

COLONEL

So this makes you sad son? You do realize that killing the enemy is part of war, right?

PRIVATE

I know sir. Its just when I turned to retrieve my rifle I saw the man who ran into it. I knew him, and I knew him very well.

COLONEL

Was he a local merchant in your home town or something of the sorts? The private looks down eyes start welling up with tears again..

PRIVATE

No sir. He was my brother. Silence overcomes the older gentleman as he absorbs the shock and ultimate sadness. Fade out.