The Civil War ended months ago, but in Lost Springs, Missouri, the fighting rages on. The town is run by Austin Urbank, an embittered Northern veteran who lost a leg--and his soul--in battle. Under Austin's guidance, the Southerners of Lost Springs are being systematically murdered or run out of town. Although many citizens, even Northerners, oppose Urbank's reign of terror, they are afraid to act. The one man who dares to defy him is Vin Tanner, the blacksmith. Vin is not rich or powerful; in fact, he's usually one to avoid a fight. So no one would ever suspect that he is the hard-riding, sharpshooting, mysterious man in black who throws a monkey wrench into Austin's evil plans...

As the local war between North and South continues, Vin wages a private struggle with beautiful Anne Sherwood. She spurns his advances; after all, Yankees killed two of her brothers. Vin is sure she'd feel different if she knew he was the man in black. But revealing his identity could mean death for them both!