Audie Murphy stars as Captain Jeff Stanton, a man of honour caught between his duty and his conscience at a time when not all men were equal. When Indian Chief Victorio and his people leave the confines of their reservation Captain Stanton is sent to bring them back by whatever means necessary. Whilst he prefers a diplomatic solution many local miners would like nothing more than to be rid of the Indians once and for all, leaving the gold-rich reservation land free to mine. As the injustice of the situation begins to have its effect on Stanton, he must choose to fulfil his military obligation or disobey orders to prevent more bloodshed and the possible annihilation of an entire Indian tribe.