Due to the impact of many works which will be described later, there is a strong general understanding that Shinsen-gumi took a leading part in maintenance of public order in Kyoto during the last days of the shogunate, but actually, the important area around the Imperial Palace was guarded by 2,000 elite troops under direct control of the Aizu Clan, and around that were another 500 men of Kyoto Mimawarigumi, composed of vassals of the shogunate.
後述する数々の創作物の影響もあり、幕末、京都の治安維持の主力を担っていたのは新選組であるとの認識も一般には強いが、実際は重要な御所近辺は会津直轄隊の精鋭2000人、その周りは幕臣で構成される見廻組500人が固めていた。