Joel Shelby has escaped from a prisoner of war camp, where he was wrongfully mistaken for a confederate soldier, and is making his way home when he his surprised and captured by a band of Union soldiers who believe him to be a deserter. He is threatened with execution but manages to escape with the help of a family of settlers. They are chased by the soldiers who try to recapture him. Meanwhile, after a chance encounter with a man who escaped with Joel. his friends are scouring the territory trying to find him. Will Joel make good his escape and will his friends find him before he is re-captured?