The Confederate Army was primarily made up of Militia and volunteers.

A significant number of soldiers were recruited from local militias, with many volunteering in response to calls for service at the onset of the war. This led to a varied range of experience levels, as many participants were not professional soldiers but ordinary citizens who took up arms to protect their homes and way of life. While this volunteer-driven approach fostered a strong sense of personal dedication among the troops, it also presented challenges in terms of training and organization when compared to a conventional army.