The Battle of Valverde is over, and Jamie Russell, now a Confederate war hero, returns home to his family. Jamie's sister Emma has been shattered by the death of her true love at Valverde. Worried about their daughter, Jamie's parents convince him to escort Emma to Galveston. Emma will have a chance to escape her monotonous life on the ranch, become a lady, and perhaps leave the memory of death behind her.

Jamie soon discovers that Galveston lacks the defenses it needs to ward off a Union naval attack. Troubled by leaving his sister and aunt in a place susceptible to Union takeover, Jamie returns to his unit and begs with Confederate officers to have Galveston's defenses strengthened. His pleas fall on deaf ears. Union warships arrive in Galveston Bay, taking it for the Federals and confirming Jamie's worst fears. Now Jamie must travel back to Galveston in a secret Confederate operation to reclaim the city and rescue his family.