Captain Jack Windrush and the the infamous 113th Foot are assigned to India, just before the Indian Mutiny breaks out. Returning from a five-day march with his company, Jack finds that the sepoys have rebelled and massacred their officers, and most of the other company of the 113th.

Gathering together a number of survivors, Jack and his company fight their way out of the cantonment and escape. After Jack learns that the British are besieged by a large rebel army, he takes his men to Allahabad to relieve Cawnpore, and meet with General Havelock.

He proves to be a capable commander, but lacks manpower. As the war rages around them, Jack faces new challenges - both military and personal.