After serving with the Union army, gallant John Ashley (John Wayne) 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.