Haywood, a suitor for the hand of Elida Rumsey, is severely reprimanded by her for not enlisting when President Lincoln calls for volunteers. Being deeply interested in the cause, Elida goes and helps Mrs. Pomeroy minister to sick and wounded soldiers. She becomes a favorite with the men, for she frequently sings to them. This attracts the attention of Lincoln, and he introduces her to M. Fowle, a mission worker, who has become a little discouraged by the soldiers' lack of response to his efforts. Elida's singing awakens the dormant spark of manhood, and more men enlist. In order to stir patriotism, President Lincoln requests Elida to sing at a concert. Haywood comes and is induced to enlist, which pleases Elida so much that Fowle, who has grown to love her, thinks that he is her lover. He keeps his love for her in silence. Sometime later Elida and Fowle are ordered to the front, where there has been an enormous carnage. Elida finds Haywood seriously wounded, after leading a gallant charge to victory. She does all in her power to save him, but he passes away. Fowle's sympathy is so marked that Elida is lead to believe that he has been under the impression that Haywood was her lover. She tells him that he was nothing more to her than a friend. Fowle seizes the opportunity and tells her of his love for her. They are married in the presence of President Lincoln, the only marriage solemnized at the capitol.