Before the Civil War, two young people contract a secret marriage. They are Nancy Carter and Robert Gill. Nancy's father has objected to Robert because of his drinking habits. Robert pledges Nancy to drink no more. While their marriage is still a secret he forces his way into the Carter drawing room at a time when it is crowded with guests and blurts out the secret that Nancy is his wife, insisting that she go with him. The next day in a repentant state of mind, Robert rides his horse beneath the window of Nancy's room and pleads for her forgiveness. She cannot forgive. He draws a pistol, fires a bullet into his own heart and drops from his horse, dead. Years later, Nancy Gill and her daughter Laura, now 16, are living at the home of Col. Carter, in Virginia, at a time when the Civil War is in its final stages. Col. Carter is in command of a Confederate regiment. He is the nephew of Nancy Gill. The two armies are forming their lines for a battle near Col. Carter's home.