One man's life growing up in the Old South.Born to wealth and promise as the son of a plantation owner, Joe Fowler finds that his fate is quickly sealed when his mother dies of childbed fever, a common and deadly ailment in the 19th century. With no available wet-nurses to tend to this new life, Joe's father sends him off with his sister to be cared for. After reuniting with his father, he begins to understand that his life is destined to be different from the lives of his siblings. Conflicts with his family arise, forcing him to pursue his own way. Eventually he makes his mark, finds modest wealth, marries a lovely bride, and marches off to fight in the war.