Crossing the punishing desert of the American West, Native American Civil War veteran Four Winds is overcome by his demons and collapses on the desert floor. As his body struggles for life, his spirit struggles to move beyond the horrors of war. Brought into a border town and saved from death by the benevolence of a desert guide, Four Winds discovers that while away his family has been murdered by the same racist Capt. Flemming who sent Four Winds Native American D Company on a suicide charge to their deaths. Encouraged by his new mentor to again embrace the ways of his people, Four Winds cleanses himself in preparation for a return to town and a final confrontation with the sadistic Captain Flemming.