The American Civil War: From the first shots at Fort Sumpter to the emotional Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House, this documentary tells the story of the conflict which scarred the soul of a nation. Long synopsis: It was the most tragic episode in American history. During four years of bitter and bloody fighting between the states, more than 600,000 troops from the Union and Confederate sides lost their lives. The bloody events at places such as Antietam, Gettysburg, Shiloh, Cold Harbour, Vicksburgh and Fredericksburgh are still burned deep into the American psyche, never to be forgotten. From the first shots at Fort Sumpter to the emotional Confederate surrender at Appomattox Court House, this programme tells the story of the conflict which scarred the soul of a nation.