Fort Haney, a forgotten outpost in eastern Oregon left behind by the regular Army during the War Between the States, is home to "Sergeant Forson's Dirty-Shirt Army," a troop of fifty-seven raw recruits in the Oregon Volunteer Cavalry who care little about fighting except among themselves--in spite of the fact that they are surrounded by hostile Snake and Cayuse Indians just waiting for opportunities to strike at farmers, ranchers, and stagecoaches. Their commanding officer, Major King, plots strategy by retiring to his quarters, building model ships, and drinking whiskey. One man alone tries to make a difference--Sergeant Ward Forson, previously trained in the regular Army. When word comes that the daughter of the commanding officer is on her way by stagecoach, both Major King and Sergeant Forson know that an Indian attack is likely. It is up to Forson to ensure that these undisciplined recruits who have been living almost like animals, will now pull together and meet their adversaries like true soldiers.