On his wedding eve Henry Halleck opens a sealed envelope which has been handed down to each generation, and learns that the family is cursed with a lust for drink. He signs the pledge which bears the signatures of his fathers.

Mary's lot. always hard, becomes doubly so upon her father's death. Desiring to re-marry, the girl's stepmother conspires to get her out of the way.

Mary Adams, about to visit relatives in a distant part of the country, is entrusted to the care of Manuel Bond. The girl's beauty inflames Bond, a gambler and a scoundrel. That night, when the stagecoach halts, Mary is horrified to discover that Bond has registered for both as man and wife. The gambler turns a deaf ear to the girl's frantic pleas. After locking her in the room, the scoundrel proceeds to the barroom. Mary escapes by means of the window. The girl comes upon a party of settlers. Mary joins the party. Later, the girl meets Kit, a young backwoodsman. It is a case of love at first sight and the two are married the same day.

Lem Ransom, the village drunkard, steals the Widow Huggins' bonds while under the influence of liquor, at the instigation of Hannibal Chapman, an unscrupulous lawyer. After taking the stolen bonds from his catspaw, Chapman treacherously arranges to have suspicion fall upon Lem.

One of many adaptations of the comedy of manners written by Richard Brinsley Sheridan satirizing the gossip and scandal-mongering of London's high society.

General Wolfe, appointed commander of the expedition against Quebec, comes to bid his mother goodbye. Before sailing, the general calls upon his sweetheart, Katherine Lowther. She presents him with a locket containing a miniature of herself. Wolfe places the jewel on a chain about his neck. Mignon Mars and her brother, Hubert, of a Canadian family, are captured by a body of men attached to the Royal Americans. Lieutenant Arleigh, the officer in charge, secures their release. Mignon loses her heart to the young officer. General Montcalm arrives at Quebec and takes command of the French forces.

Uncle Tom and Eliza's child are sold to Haley, a slave dealer. When Eliza learns that her son is to be taken from her, she steals the boy and runs away.

When the Civil War breaks out Eric Warren, a young physician, enlists and is commissioned captain. In the field of action his clever maneuvers constantly harass the Confederates and Colonel Ashby, chafing under many defeats at the hands of the young officer, decides to capture him through a subterfuge.

Calhoun, a planter, lives with his son and daughter, James and Martha. He strongly objects to young Gordon, who has been paying court to Martha and who has the reputation of being a gambler. Calhoun forbids Gordon from entering the house. One day as Gordon is traveling up the river he sees Calhoun who is returning from the sale of his cotton crop and is counting his money on the deck. Meredith, an unscrupulous gambler, also notices Calhoun and determines to relieve him of his money.

Bronson Howard's Great Civil War Story in Three Reels, Featuring General Philip Sheridan's Ride from Winchester, 20 Miles Away.