John Reed, a confederate veteran, gathered to his fathers, leaves no property to his faithful old wife and dashing son, John, Jr., except his battered sword and the tattered flag he fought for, with admonition to his son to live up to their record for valor and honor. When the war breaks out between Spain and the United States, John insists upon enlisting and his mother finally consents, giving him his father’s sword, while he tucks the confederate flag in the bosom of his blouse. He is detailed for dangerous duty as a scout along the line that Weyler’s wire entanglements and block-houses made so deadly. The little band of American soldiers is attacked by a superior force of Spaniards and they take refuge in a tobacco store-house. Their troop flag is swept away on the flame of a shell. John, who raised it on the little pole on the roof, received at the same time a nasty wound in the shoulder. When his comrades, attempting to administer “first aid” to the injured, find the confederate flag, in lieu of the lost colors, they raise the old stars and bars to guide their comrades to their rescue. The men return to the fight so desperately under the faded old colors that the Spaniards are driven back, and the flag is never lowered until the stars and stripes come fluttering in at the head of a relief party. After the battle the Americans gather about the frayed old confederate flag, nestling in the shadow of the fluttering stars and stripes, and salute the two flags with equal reverence.