It is believed that during the American Civil War as many as four hundred women disguised themselves as men and fought on both sides. Charlotte Menefee is one such woman. She disguises herself and joined the Union Army with her brother. They become part of a squad of young men who have no idea one of their number is a girl. They fight side by side at the battle of Gettysburg, where Charlotte is badly wounded and many of the men in her squad are killed. When the battle is over, Charlotte resumes her life as a woman and returns to the battlefield as a nurse. She begins to search for Josh Brinley, the man she has come to love. But Josh is captured and taken prisoner to Andersonville, the Souths most infamous prison, where he is determined to survive until he can be reunited with Charlotte.