Abolitionist John Brown and 40 other Free-Staters unsuccessfully defend the town of Osawatomie, Kansas, against 250-300 border ruffians under John W. Reid. The Free-Staters are routed, Osawatomie is burned, and one of Brown's sons is killed, but Brown escapes with his life and earns the nickname "Osawatomie Brown" for his spirited defense.