The story opens with a prologue on May 5, 1862, when Captain Monroe says good-bye to his wife and baby before starting for the front. His little baby clutches his fingers and the soldier retains a mental picture of this incident as a last memory of the little one. On August 6, 1864, Captain Monroe arrives in a southern town. He has received news of the death of his wife and baby. In the town lives Mrs. Elsie Kirby, who is known as "The Little Widow" to her neighbors. On the entrance of the Federal troops in the town, Captain Monroe takes his headquarters in Mrs. Kirby's home. She is forced to accept the intrusion, but leaves to go to her mother's home. On the way she is held up by a sentry in the streets. Meanwhile the old "Mammy" fearfully puts Mrs. Kirby's little baby in a clothes basket to carry it out. Tremblingly, she starts on her way to carry the baby to the "Little Widow." She, too, is held up by the sentry. Captain Monroe rides up and asks what is in the basket. "Mammy" draws away, but in thrusting his hands inside, his fingers are clutched by the hand of the little baby, which brings back memories of his own child. The story ends when the Captain sitting erect in his saddle, salutes the "Little Widow," who gathers her baby in her arms.