Virgil Clay Harris and Willet Blackwell are Confederate soldiers, friends since childhood, who return from the Civil War Battle at Chickamauga to their home town of Cartersville, Georgia. Both men are physically and mentally scarred from their horrendous experiences during the war. They are greeted by their childhood tomboy cohort, Deekie, who has transformed into a beautiful Southern Belle in their absence. Deekie's feelings for both friends become confused as one goes on to lead a band of marauders while the other attempts to eke out a humble existence during the Reconstruction period.

Everything is further complicated when a greedy Irish carpetbagger comes to town with his innocent and pure niece, Ever. She becomes friend to Clay (Virgil), a threat to Deekie, and a vehicle for revenge for Willet.