Epic story covering a period in U.S. history from John Brown's raid at Harper's Ferry in 1859 to the summer of 1865 following President Lincoln's death. Focuses on two related families living on either side of the Mason-Dixon line who find themselves at war with each other.

Based partially on the books of Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Bruce Catton. Television miniseries originally broadcast over CBS network on Nov. 14, 16, and 17, 1982.