When Michael Aubrecht was growing up in Green Tree, he checked out "This Hallowed Ground," Bruce Catton's book about the Civil War, so many times the librarian limited his access so others could have a chance to read it.

Mr. Aubrecht still chuckles when recalling his zeal in learning about the Civil War as a child, but the episode hinted at Mr. Aubrecht's future.

Since his days of scouring the stacks of the Green Tree Public Library for Civil War books, he has become a noted writer on the conflict with five published books and now a film.

A documentary he co-produced called the "The Angel of Marye's Heights" will premiere next month in Fredericksburg, Va. The National Civil War Life Foundation will host the premiere, and the movie will be featured as a permanent exhibit in the foundation's local Civil War Life Museum.

Mr. Aubrecht became involved in the project when the director, Clint Ross, contacted him after reading an article Mr. Aubrecht had written about the life of Richard Kirkland, the southern soldier who is the subject of the documentary.

After helping the director research the life of Sgt. Kirkland, and agreeing to be interviewed as an expert on the war, the director asked Mr. Aubrecht if he would become a producer as well, and he readily accepted.

"I soon found myself doing things I had never done before, like helping to set up scenes and helping to coordinate the shooting schedule with the National Park Service," Mr. Aubrecht said.

What made the story of Sgt. Kirkland so compelling is not an act of military glory, but an act of mercy.

"His is a story of courage and compassion. It shows that human compassion and decency can be found in the darkest of places," Mr. Aubrecht said.

And the battleground around Fredericksburg in December 1862 was one of the darkest places in American history.

In the battle, Federal troops repeatedly tried to storm the Confederate position on Marye's Heights and were cut down by the massed musket fire of the Confederate soldiers.

"It was an absolute massacre," Mr. Aubrecht said.

Thousands of wounded and dying soldiers were left in no man's land after the battle, and that's when Sgt. Kirkland decided to take matters into his own hands. He requested permission from his commanding officers to take canteens of water to the dying soldiers. Although he was turned down again and again, he persisted until his officers granted him permission with the provision that he not carry a white flag of surrender with him.

Without the white flag, Sgt. Kirkland was exposing himself to Federal sharpshooters.

"The Federal sharpshooters thought he was trying to rob the soldiers of their boots, watches and other valuables. They began taking shots at him. By the grace of God, he wasn't hit," Mr. Aubrecht said.

As bullets whizzed by, he gave them water, cushioned their heads on their knapsacks and comforted them. He returned to the Confederate side again and again to bring full canteens of water to the dying soldiers.

Eventually, the Federal troops saw that he was trying to help the dying soldiers, stopped firing at him and let out a cheer. A cheer went up for him from the Confederate side as well.

"For an hour, he essentially stopped the entire American Civil War in Virginia," Mr. Aubrecht said

Today there is a memorial to Sgt. Kirkland at the battlefield site in Virginia, and he is remembered as the Angel of Marye's Heights.

"He risked his life to help dying soldiers from an opposing army. He is a perfect example that acts of humanity that can be found even in times of war," Mr. Aubrecht said.

After the film's premiere in July, Mr. Aubrecht said he will go on the road to screen the movie at museums, universities, Civil War round tables and private organizations to raise awareness of Richard Kirkland's legacy. He hopes Pittsburgh will be one of the stops.

"I would love to bring the movie back to my hometown and share this story," he said.

Mr. Aubrecht, who now lives in Fredericksburg with his wife and four children, keeps a busy schedule. In addition to his writing and film work about the Civil War, he commutes every work day by train to Washington, D.C., , where he works as a technical writer for the U.S. Marshals Service.

He hopes to return to the area soon to see his mother and father, Thomas and Linda, who still live in Green Tree.

Mr. Aubrecht fondly remembers his parents stoking his interest in history by taking him on trips to Gettysburg, Fort Necessity and Monticello, Thomas Jefferson's estate.

As for the book, "This Hallowed Ground," that he kept borrowing from the Green Tree Public Library: If it's still in the collection, it is a well-worn copy.

"I took it out about 50 times myself," he said.

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