Rumors swirl around the Union Army camp during the Civil War. Henry Fleming (Audie Murphy) worries about how he will react when facing battle. His best friend, called Loud Soldier (Bill Mauldin) is excited by the news, but Henry expresses some concern to his tent mate, the Tall Soldier (John Dierkes), about whether he will be a coward when the shooting starts. Indeed, they go into a fierce fight with fellow soldiers dying, and Henry runs into the forest to hide and to wander with his guilt. Before nightfall he runs into a camp and rejoins a unit to face another day and another battle. His resolve is bolstered by meeting a Cheery Soldier (Andy Devine).