The homeless son of uncertain parentage survives the mean streets of London through the generosity of an Irish barkeep with a need to employ a boy who will keep his sideline a secret. Calvin Murphy finds himself with three meals a day, a warm place to sleep and the occasional company of a beautiful barmaid. After embarrassing The Queen's Guard sharpshooting team with unexplained marksmanship skills, Calvin is forced to immigrate to New York in the summer of 1862. He finds himself conscripted into The Irish Brigade, involved in a war that he calls America's war with itself. After the war, he sets off on a trek to The Montana Territory. On the way he enjoys sexual trysts with a professional bar singer, and beautiful Swedish twins. But no one can hold a candle to the beautiful Irish maiden he meets on the trail who brings renewed passion to his life.