Sam Steele was not only never in the Confederate army, he was a Native American. In fact, the version presented in "Stories of the Century" was a lot closer to the mark than was Randolph Scott's version.
Other than locations, time frame, characters' backstories, relationships, criminal career arcs and order of death - completely sound, scholarly historical drama.
When Ed Shirley (Shepperd Strudwick) is ambushed and shot by Jim Cole (Joe Downing), instead of just falling off his horse, the actor swings his outside leg over the horse's saddle to ease the impact of falling to the ground.