Inman (Jude Law) is fighting in the Civil War thinking of his girl back home, Ada (Nicole Kidman). When he becomes convinced that the war is a lost cause, he deserts and starts walking back home to her. Before the war Ada was a girl of some means who only knew ladies' pursuits. During the war she loses her father and is at a loss as to how to maintain the family farm. Fortunately, Ruby (Renee Zellweger) comes along to help her. Although Ruby's a girl, she's tough as nails, and together they get the farm going. All the while, Inman is walking, trying to evade the Home Guard who is looking for deserters. He and another traveler stop to help a man who invites them home where there several women who are lonely for men. While the two deserters are being entertained, the man turns them into the bounty hunters. The squad and its chain of prisoners is attacked by Yankees. Everyone is killed except Inman who is rescued by an old woman. Ada and Ruby struggle on at home with the deprivations and dangers of the war. Inman meets a woman with a baby and saves them from Yankees before moving on. Ruby's father is killed by the bounty hunters, and Ruby and Ada are burying him when Ada sees Inman trudging up the road. They spend a night together.