In the midst of the Civil War, a Mississippi girl, accompanied by her doting boyfriend, escapes from her puritanical father and attempts to become a Shakespearean actress in New York City. Instead of finding the stardom she had expected, she is forced to accept morally degrading jobs and leaves her doting boyfriend in hopes of finding stardom elsewhere. In despair, the jilted boyfriend joins the Union Army and fights in some of the major battles of the Civil War.Meanwhile, a minister is having troubles of his own. When he speaks against slavery, he is forced to flee for his life. All roads lead to Richmond where the fates of all the characters, are at last decided.