Bryan --

Alabama and Georgia militia rolls frequently identify members as exempt from Confederate service. Rolls could be easily checked for those who might be trying to stay out of the Confederate army. It helped militia commanders as well. For instance, if a man had a substitute in Confederate service, it was important to know that he would not be picked up by the Conscript officer and lost to the company.

Here's another situation. A physician or minister might claim an exemption from Confederate service, as it would take them away from home, but still volunteer for militia service, since that would not oblige them to leave. In any case, it's easy for the Conscript officers to check the rolls and determine why each militiamen wasn't in Confederate service. It's always going to be age, occupation or a special exemption due to substitution, disability or prior discharge from the CSA military.

I'd be surprised if Arkansas militia rolls didn't follow a similar practice.