Fur trapper Tom Dobb unwillingly participates in the American Revolutionary War after his young son Ned joins the Army as a Drummer boy (military). Later, his son is captured by the British, and taken by the strict Sergeant Major Peasy to replace some dead British drummer boys. Dobb attempts to find him, and along the way, becomes convinced that he must help fight for the freedom of the Colonies, alongside the disgraced and idealistic aristocrat Daisy McConnahay.