I agree with what you said. Nothing gained if it isn't hard.

One thing I would like to expand on is the word "active". Much of the confusion comes from that word. The State of Georgia had a legal definition to that word which meant that the unit was "active" under the command of the CSA. The Militia "Proper" was the legal definition of Militia under State command even though they were active in state service they were not "active" in the legal sense of being under CSA command. So when you see that word used you have to try and figure out if they are using it in the legal sense or not.

Here are some of the Legal things under the re-orgination laws about the Militia for anyone interested. You'll see the word "active" used in both cases in my opinion. Sometimes I think even they were confused at times.

Militia proper.
Militia reserve.
Order of service.
10. SEC. X. And be it further enacted, That the persons enrolled under the second section of this Act, shall be divided into two classes. The first shall be composed of those between seventeen and fifty years of age, to be styled the Militia Proper, who shall be first liable and subject to perform all the military duties contemplated by this Act. The second class shall be composed of those between sixteen and seventeen years of age, and between fifty and sixty years of age, and be styled the Militia Reserve; who shall organize with the Militia proper, but shall not be required to drill or perform any of the military duties contemplated by this Act, until the Militia proper shall have been called into active service, nor be subject or liable to any draft or other compulsory process to fill any requisition for troops, upon the Governor of this State, by the President of the Confederate States. When the Militia proper shall be called into active service, the Lieutenant of each Company most advanced in age, shall be left with, and in command of the Militia Reserve of their respective Companies. Any if any person belonging to the Militia Reserve, shall at any time be elected to, and shall accept any office under this Act, he shall be required to perform all the duties of the office without reference to the class to which he may have belonged.

Brigades and divisions, how organized.
12. SEC. XII. Be it further enacted, That whenever the militia shall be called into active service by the Governor, Brigades and Divisions may be organized for the period of active service, in such manner as the Governor may direct; the officers and men composing the Brigades and Divisions in all cases electing their Brigade and Division commanders; provided that the offices of Brigadier and Division General shall expire when disbanded, and the individuals holding them shall return to service according to their ages, as provided for in this act.

Governor to arrange Co.'s into regiments, and battalions two classes.
Proviso.
4. SEC. IV. Be it further enacted, That the Governor be authorized, on receiving the reports of the new company districts provided for in section third, to arrange said companies into Regiments or Battalions, defining their limits without regard to county lines, and if need be, for the purpose of effective organization, without regard to Senatorial Districts, Provided, that no Regimental district shall contain more than one thousand, or less than five hundred men, arranged in ten companies; that no Battalion district of the first class shall contain more than six hundred, or less than four hundred men, arranged in not more than nine, nor less than six companies; that no Battalion district of the second class shall contain more than four hundred, nor less than two hundred men arranged in not more than five, nor less than two companies; and that no company district shall contain more than one hundred, nor less than sixty-four men.

Organization of reg'ts battalions and companies.
5. SEC. V. Be it further enacted, That to each Regiment there shall be allowed one Colonel, one Lieut. Colonel, and one Major; to each Battalion of the first class one Lieutenant Colonel and one Major; to each Battalion of the second class one Major; and to each Company one Captain four Lieut's, five Sergeants, and four Corporals; and that each Company shall be divided into two platoons, each platoon into two squads, and that there shall be, for the purpose of drill and discipline, one Lieutenant, one Sergeant and one Corporal to each squad.

Penalty for refusing to enter service on due notice.
14. SEC. XIV. And be it further enacted, That any militiaman ordered into active service, whether by order of the Governor, or on a requisition from the President of the Confederate States, who shall fail or refuse after due notice to enter said service, or being therein, shall leave the service without permission, shall be liable to be tried and punished as a deserter, and subject to all the pains and penalties imposed upon deserters in the Rules and Articles of War for the government of the army of the Confederate States.

The state militia force was reorganized in 1864 under General Orders 28, by the State of Georgia Adjutant and Inspector General. This Militia was referred to as the “Georgia Militia Proper” and “Georgia Militia Reserve”, because they were still under state command. All counties were shown as enrolled, classified and organized on May 7TH 1864, with the exceptions of White, Lumpkin, Dawson, Union, Towns, Rabun, Chattooga, Dade, and Catoosa Counties. The Georgia Militia was shown to have: 18 Regiments, 21 First Class Battalions, 47 Second Class Battalions and 8 Independent Companies, with 24,823 men in the Militia Proper, 16,575 men in the Militia Reserve, totaling 41,398 men.

“When organized, the Reserve Militia of this class should be required to do all necessary police duty in their several counties and to arrest and turn over to the proper authorities, all deserters from State or Confederate service, and all persons subject to State service, who do not immediately report for duty, when required by General Orders. On failure to discharge this duty faithfully and efficiently, the Governor should be authorized to order them into the field for active duty in place of those permitted by them to remain at home who owe active service”

Here is a report from the Governor toward the end of the war.

Quote: Joseph E. Brown
“Notwithstanding the difficulties with which the State authorities have had to contend, abut 10,000 of the reserve Militia were armed and sent to the front, to aid in the defense of Atlanta, and other important points in the State. No troops in the service discharged their duty more nobly and faithfully. They received the commendation of General Johnston, General Hood, and their immediate commander, Major General Smith, for their gallantry and good conduct upon the battle-field. When Atlanta fell they held the post of honor, constituting the rear guard, which brought off the reserve artillery of General Hood's army. After they had been ordered back to Griffin they were furloughed for 30 days, and have again assembled under their gallant leader, and are in the right place nobly defending the soil of their State.

As the present organization of reserve Militia is the only remaining force left to the State, she should, under no circumstances, turn them over to the unlimited control of the Confederate Government, or any other power. But she should retain the control over them that she may send them to the field, when the military exigencies require it, and withdraw them at proper intervals, when her agricultural, and other material interests, imperatively demand it.”

Joseph E. Brown