Not only the regular soldiers consisting of retainers but also mixed forces consisting of townspeople, peasants, outlaws, and retainers from other domains played an active part in their military forces.
兵力として藩士からなる正規兵だけでなく、町民や農民、無頼の徒や他国藩士によって結成された混成部隊が戦力とされ活躍した。