The moving story of John C. Fremont, one of the great American explorers of the last century is dramatized. Fremont whose explorations helped open a large part of the far West, played a conspicuous part in the winning of California territory from Mexico. An army lieutenant-colonel at the time, he was later court-martialed for insubordination to his superior officer. Disillusioned by this occurance, in which he felt himself blameless, he resigned his commission and once again headed West. After many trying experiences, during which the bulwark of his faith was the enduring love of his wife, Jessie, Fremont struck gold and remade his fortune. He eventually became the first Senator from California.