 Ex-Union officer John Ashley returns to his hometown in Texas and finds law and order being maintained by northerner Benedict Holden s armed troopers. Initially taken in by Holden s smooth talk, Ashley soon discovers Holden is a carpetbagger who, unbeknownst by the governor, is killing and stealing from the locals under cover of state authority. Hoping to thwart Holden s ongoing attacks against the citizens, Ashley enlists in Holden s troops.