When Congress passed the military law of April 16, 1862, most men eligible for militia service were effectively drafted by the Confederacy. As the age limits became broader with passage of new military laws, the militia pool became even smaller. By early 1864 it was reduced to exempts, boys younger than seventeen and men older than fifty.

It's a mistake to think of militia in the Civil War as combat troops. Relatively few had access to arms and ammunition, and training/discipline was minimal. The primary duties of militia company in its home district (home guards) was to act as military police and enforce the law in rear areas.