有關明代兵制的研究，至今仍以通論性的文章居多。但明代幅員廣闊，腹裡與邊地、沿邊與沿海本應有所分別。明清兩代遺留的地方志數量龐大，以方志為材料做區域史的研究應有其意義。本文即以乾隆以前刊行的江西地志為主，討論有明一代江西地區衛所、兵營的設置，兼及民兵制度的演變。對江西地區因應軍事需要陸續增設的督撫兵備及將領，亦儘資料所及加以介紹，以作為日後比較研究的基礎。

Research on the Ming dynasty's military system has, to this point, consisted largely of general surveys. The Ming empire covered a large territory, however, so distinctions must be made between its heartland and frontier, as well as land-locked and coastal regions. Fortunately, numerous local gazetteers dating from the Ming and Ch'ing dynasties provide a wealth of source material for the study of the Ming military system at the regional level. This paper, based mainly on local gazetteers from Chiang-hsi province published before the Ch'ien-lung reign, examines the establishment there of Guards and Chiliads (wei-so 衛所) and Military Battalions (ping-ying 兵營), as well as the development of the province's militia system, during the Ming dynasty. In addition, I will also examine the gradual establishment of the supervisory high-ranking officers in accord with Chiang-hsi's military needs. This study should provide a good foundation for comparative research in the future.