The History channel did a show on this film and for the most part, showed that what is portrayed in the film is as accurate as possible to history.
Yep. And a lot of this film was shot in my backyard - Winchester VA, Martinsburg WV, Sharpsburg PA, etc. The scene where Johhny Reb and Billy Yank exchanged tobbackie and coffee in the middle of the Rappohannock sure looked like the Shenandoah river by Harpers Ferry WV - low and lots of rocks.
It's interesting how there's so much history and historic old homes around here that camera shots could be mixed and matched - the background scenes (exterior AND interior) are in many cases authentic!
And that is why it was made. Not for instant gratification. Those expecting a typical Hollywood production will be bored and disappointed. Those expecting to hear the actual recorded words of the participants will be rewarded (but the dialog is clunky when spoken).