The ''Civil War'' hits TV

Thanks to the popularity of PBS’ Civil War series, a splashy epic about the Battle of Gettysburg will soon land on cable TV. Turner Network Television is producing a four-hour, $10 million miniseries based on Michael Shaara’s 1974 Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Killer Angels, to air in 1993.

Presented by Bob Rehme and Mace Neufeld, the series, TNT’s most expensive to date, starts shooting in July, on the 129th anniversary of the three bloodiest days in U.S. history.

Robert Duvall is being considered for the role of Gen. Robert E. Lee; evidently, his $1 million asking price doesn’t put him out of the running. Other leads are being cast, though actresses needn’t apply. ”We aren’t making any soap opera-type concessions,” says a source close to the project. ”There aren’t going to be any hoop skirts.” But there will be roles open for 60 actors and 5,000 extras. Even TNT chief Ted Turner ”may have a moment on the screen,” says the source. Any bets on which side he’ll fight?