In 1848, the U.S. Army sends Major John Freeman (Bill Elliott) to investigate the Lower California Company, headed by Howard Brunton (Charles King), which is abusing its semi-governmental powers. Disguised as a settler, Freeman and his scout, Kit (Hal Taliaferro), dismount at the Cervantes hacienda which Brunton has illegally seized and is auctioning off. Freeman outbids a Brunton flunky and the sale is postponed. Freeman sends Romero (Joe de la Cruz), a former landowner unjustly evicted, into Los Treos to have his last tax receipt notarized in a move made to justify Freeman having the Army move in and take action against Brunton. He moves his regiment into Los Treos, where Brunton, realizing that his game is up, is looting the town prior to escaping to the border.