Although the cannons have gone silent after Appomattox, three Union soldiers learn their fighting days are not over. The war-weary Sergeant Madison Jones (Sarge), philosophical Corporal Robert Gracey (Preacher), and young sharpshooting Private Bill Brumley (Bronco) soon set out for Georgia. There, at Sarge's old homeplace, lies a stash of gold, his long-buried inheritance.

Their encounter with the notorious killer, John Coates, and his clan is only the beginning of their difficulties. Although Coates proves to be a wily adversary, he is but one obstacle as each of the men finds themselves with private dilemmas as well.

Their story pits them against a series of mysteries, plots, and gunplay, and every predicament solved rouses, new adversaries.