THE COPPERHEAD is the story of Abner Beech a religious, righteous but stubborn farmer from Upstate New York. Beech boldly defies his fellow neighbors and government  in the autumn of 1862. For his different views Beech is shunned by his community and even some family. Things get sticky when Beech's son falls in love with the daughter of Beech's chief tormentor and joins the army.