Alan J. Pitts
Frequently asked questions.....
Thu Mar 22 11:29:29 2001


Perhaps we should create a message board section for this type of question and other like it which have been posed.

To summarize earlier discussions, there were two general types of militia, the state militia and the volunteer militia. By law every white male resident of the state bweteen the ages of 18 and 45 belonged to the state militia. There were some statutory exemptions, but essentially everyone was enrolled. Militia organizations extended to the county/precinct or "beat" level, and officers were elected from their home district.

Volunteer militia organizations were a popular option to the state militia. Distinct privileges and recognition were involved which have been described in earlier posts. Nearly all companies which offered their services to the Confederate government had initially been organized and accepted in state service as volunteer militia companies.

The 4th Alabama Volunteer Militia was the fourth such regiment to be in state service during the year 1862. These were all accepted for limited terms (ninety-days). The Conscript Act passed by Congress in April co-opted state militia laws by obliging virtually all men eligible for militia duty in the Confederate army, and volunteer militia regiments went out of existence.

Search the message board under the word 'militia' and you'll find all kinds of verbage on this subject.






Go Back To Archive Page

Go To Alabama CW Message Board