Selig's Stirring Days in Old Virginia appears to have been inspired by old theatrical chestnut The Warrens of Virginia, at least so far as the setting and character names are concerned. The story takes place in 1865, during the final months of the Civil War. While Union troops occupy the mansion of the Warren family, Captain Warren continues to undertake secret missions on behalf of the Confederacy. After several thrillingly staged battle scenes, Captain Warren is reunited with his lovely young wife. Well received by critics and audiences of the period, Stirring Days in Old Virginia would of course pale in comparison with subsequent Civil War epics of Thomas Ince and D. W. Griffith.