Set during the American Civil War, the plot revolves around the fictional sixteen-year-old Jefferson Davis Bussey, who is caught up in the events of history.

Generals Stand Watie and James G. Blunt) and battles (e.g. Wilson's Creek and Prairie Grove) are seen from the viewpoint of an ordinary soldier, enabled by the choice of protagonist.

Harold Keith spent many years interviewing Civil War veterans and visiting the sites depicted in the book, resulting in an authenticity that is rare for historical fiction that targets a young adult audience.

Jeff takes a mutual dislike to a career officer, Captain Asa Clardy, whose abrasive personality make him both feared and hated by his men.

During the campaigning in the contested Indian Territory, Jeff meets headstrong Cherokee girl Lucy Washbourne, whose well-to-do family is loyal to the Confederate cause.

As they cross into Rebel territory in the dark, Jeff and fellow scout Bostwick blunder into a Confederate position and claim they are on their way to join the cavalry raider Stand Watie, only to find his force is camped right there.

Despite steadily growing weaker from lack of rest and food, Jeff keeps heading back toward Union lines as Watie's men chase him with the aid of Sully, a Texas bloodhound.

"[2] In a retrospective essay about the Newbery Medal-winning books from 1956 to 1965, librarian Carolyn Horovitz wrote of Rifles for Watie, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, The Witch of Blackbird Pond and The Bronze Bow: "All have value, all are told skilfully.

[4] After communicating with Rollins, Keith accepted one proposed change but rejected the others, claiming that he used similar language to define other white characters[5] and for that reason it was not race-specific.