Following the abolishment of the State Militia in 1857, it was revived by the Legislature ca 1860/61.

Is there any evidence that it thereafter acted in any meaningful way other than the enrollment of officers and men and the holding of periodic musters.

The following is all I have been able to find.

George Martin

11 01 1861 [Friday]

Gov. Harris issues a proclamation “Calling for Fire-Arms. “The State must, and to the full extent of its resources, shall be defended. Threatened with invasion, all good citizens will regard it as a patriotic duty to make any reasonable sacrifices, to repel the invaders. Regiments are now in camp and organized, while others are ready to organize, but, for want of arms, are not prepared to take the field. . . If you fail to respond, I shall be compelled by the sternest convictions of duty, charged as I am with the responsibility of seeing that the State is defended, to disband these regiments of brave soldiers, and call you, who have arms, into the service as militia.. I earnestly entreat that the people will bring forward and deliver to the clerk, of the county court of their respective counties, or to such other agents as I may send to the various counties, every effective double-barrel shot-gun and sporting rifle which they may have, to be. . . if your refuse, prepare to take the field. [Rebellion Record, Documents, Vol. 3, p. 348]

11 19 1861 [Tuesday]

Gov. Harris issues a proclamation To the Officers in command of the Militia of the State of Tennessee in the Second, Third and Fourth Divisions: Due to the threat of invasion to the state, Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston, in command of the Confederate forces in the area called on the Governor to “ . . . to send to the field such forces as can be armed by the State.” In consequence the Governor ordered “Officers in command of the militia of the Second, Third and Fourth divisions, will hold their commands in readiness to receive marching orders on the 25th instant, unless in the mean time a sufficient number of volunteers shall have tendered their services to fill this requisition.” [Rebellion Record, Vol. 3, Documents, p. 404]

Did this occur?

02 19 1862 [Wednesday]

Gov. Harris issues General Orders No. 1 ordering the mobilization of the state Militia. The militia of the 1st Division [East Tennessee] commanded by Maj. Gen. James Gillespie, is directed to report to the cities of Knoxville and Chattanooga. (Knoxville Register, Feb. 26, 1862)

I find no evidence that this mobilization actually occurred.

Sometime in the spring of 1862 Col. James W. Gillespie, commanding the 43rd Tennessee, resigned his position as Maj. Gen. with the Militia.