Civil War Militia (U.S. Civil War) Pint Glass 16oz

The term "Civil War Militia" refers to the various citizen-soldier units organized by both the Union and Confederate forces during the American Civil War (1861–1865). These militias, composed primarily of local volunteers, played crucial roles in the conflict due to their familiarity with the terrain and community. The Union Militia mainly consisted of state militias, such as the Pennsylvania Reserves or the Ohio National Guard, which were federalized by President Lincoln through the Militia Act of 1862. On the Confederate side, they relied heavily on partisan rangers and state guerrilla units for irregular warfare tactics. Overall, while often criticized for inexperience and lack of discipline compared to traditional regiments, the Civil War militias' contributions significantly impacted the outcome of numerous battles and skirmishes throughout the war.