During the American Civil War, two injured, disheveled, and disheartened Rebel soldiers return home to Manassas, Virginia. They are awaited at the train station by a welcoming crowd and a band. The first soldier, who has lost a leg, falls from the train as he disembarks, knocking down two people as he does so; the second soldier, who is blind, follows the first and screams for aid from his tardy, unwitting wife before he will make a move down the coach steps. The crowd watches. So does the band, which does not play. Then everyone leaves the station.