Yes, sir, Arkansas had a prewar State militia. The militia was organized into regional brigades, composed of regiments (organized on a county basis), which were in turn composed of companies (organized on a township basis). Able-bodied men of military age were supposed to enroll in the militia, although this requirement does not appear to have been enforced. Each regiment was supposed to muster once a year, usually in late winter or early spring, for an annual inspection and drill. Officers were appointed by the governor. Some militia regiments were well-drilled and led by able officers -- such as the 7th Regiment of Pulaski County -- but most were not, and some appear to have been completely inactive. There's a humorous newspaper account of the 1861 muster of the 5th Regiment of Crawford County, whose attempts at drill was described as a burlesque.

The Arkansas State Militia was encumbered by a fairly restrictive State law, so beginning in 1860 many volunteer companies were organized. These volunteer companies were unrelated to the State militia, but in some cases they drilled with the militia. These volunteer companies attracted some of the best young men in their respective communities. They were self-supported, providing their own uniforms, weapons, armories, etc. Some of the companies became exceptionally well-drilled -- the Capital Guards, Pulaski Lancers, Pulaski Light Artillery, Yell Rifles, Camden City Guards, for example. In early 1861 the flood-gates opened on the organization of volunteer companies, which, when Arkansas seceded in May, became the basis of the Arkansas State Troops -- two divisions, ten regiments and four batteries of artillery.

The Secession Convention also directed that each county organize a company of home guards, which, combined with the State troops, essentially superceded the old State militia. The State militia became a paper organization. The last known annual musters were held in February and March of 1862.