Based on the writing of Civil War historian Bruce Catton. While on assignment for his uncle's newspaper, illustrator John Geyser (John Hammond) meets the mysterious Jonas Steele (Stacy Keach); when the nation goes to war, the two friends -- one a combat artist, the other a Union capta.

Jonas mourns Mary's death and sets out to find vengeful Welles; John is unable to save Mark's life and returns home; soon after the surrender at Appomattox Court House, the Geyser and Hale families gather for the wedding of John and Kathy.