John Burns, having lost his son in the early part of the Civil War, becomes inflamed with a desire to avenge the boy’s death, but his wife restrains him. The mother finds the great loss unbearable and follows the son. John Burns’ neighbors become panic-stricken when the terrific cannonading at Gettysburg is heard, but the old man stoically refuses to be driven from his borne. Finally the retreating troops fire Burns’ patriotism and he resolves to wreak his vengeance. Dressing in his best suit and high hat, he becomes the butt of the soldiers’ jests, but his calm determination and seeming immunity inspire the regulars. He declines to take the shelter of the trenches, but stands before the enemy, quietly ramming his musket and firing shot after shot at the Confederates. Unconcernedly he leads a charge that turns the tide in favor of the Federal forces.