On Feb. 17, 1864, the Confederate Congress pass a new military law that included provisions for state reserves. These would be Confederate soldiers not previously required to serve because of their age. Senior reserves were between forty-five and fifty; junior reserves were supposed to be seventeen, although age may actually be a little less.

Reserves were expected to serve within their home state. A year after their enlistment, junior reserves were all supposed to be eighteen and their regiment would become regular troops. Senior reserves left service once they turned fifty.