After the Civil War, Union troops catch Belle Shirley (Gene Tierney), a Southern belle, harboring the wanted Confederate guerrilla fighter Sam Starr (Randolph Scott). In retribution, Union major and old friend Thomas Crail (Dana Andrews) must follow orders by burning down their home and arresting Shirley's brother (John Shepperd). Incensed, Shirley springs Starr from jail and joins his rebels. But after marrying Starr, Shirley discovers the outlaw life is not what she thought it would be.