What's the scene in the first paragraph of "An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge"?

We learn in the first
sentence that the story is set in "northern Alabama" atop a railroad bridge that spans
"swift water twenty feet below." There is a man held prisoner, his "wrists bound
with a cord" behind his back, and a loop of rope that "closely encircled his
neck." In case we weren't sure that this loop is actually a noose, some of the soldiers
there are referred to his "executioners." We also learn that this man is being held by
privates of the "Federal army," and this permits us to conclude that the story takes
place during the American Civil Warsometime between 1861 and 1865because this is the only era in
which the Federal army would be lodged in Alabama and involved in executing people. The bridge
is guarded by two sentinels who block the foot paths across so that no one can interrupt the
proceedings.