1861. Two young Southerners, friends despite their differing political views and backgrounds, enlist in the 18th Louisiana regiment of the Confederate Army: Robert Perry, wealthy and privileged, and irreverent Willie Burke, the son of Irish immigrants, face the trials of battle and find redemption in the love os a passionate and commited abolitionist, Abigail Downing, and in the courageous struggle of Flower Jamison, a beautiful slave.