"Rebel Yell" Topic

As a Northerner have always wondered what it was but no idea other than movies. Well here at least is a valid shot at it.
youtu.be/sy5SnOE_pIQ

You can still hear that yell through out the south. It is innate in the Celtic culture. I am sure the English heard similar yells from the Scots. There is an earlier recording of several Confederate veterans. Radio and film making the yell. My USMCR infantry Company, mostly Alabamians, made a similar yell during an attack on a fortified position exercise. Causing some other Marines to comment on how crazy we must be. Yep.

Another good video on topic: YouTube link

I remember reading an interview with a Confederate veteran at a 1903 or 1913 reunion, early 20th Cen., anyway…..

The veteran was asked about the Rebel Yell. He said it was a loud yip and howl. The interviewer then asked him if he could demonstrate the yell. The veteran replied………

I can not as I need a mouth full of teeth and a belly empty of food.

Those are some great recordings, thanks for sharing.

Interesting. I've never heard it live, in the south where I live. I prefer Billy Idol's version, but I'm going to give this a try next time I'm in the woods.

This surely suggests needing a bunch of Confederate Infantry being trained to deliver a particular pattern of yell, while undertaking a bayonet charge. As well as training in marching in ranks and files, using their firearm, recognising battle signals from drums or bugles. I imagine greater priorities.

A distinctive Rebel yell is a great idea, but is it a fantasy? (I always thought it was YEEEEE HAW, as a kid, 55 years ago)

Every attacking unit is told to shriek and scream, however the fancy then takes them. Bayonet practice against a sandbag, the followers of the Icelandic football team (some of you might call it soccer, but their sound is now world famous from Brazil to Japan and much copied), Charlie or NVA through the wire, a Napoleonic British line counterattack..they all shrieked or made some sound instinctively.

If there was a Rebel yell, why was there no Union yell? Of course there was, and it sounded just as terrifying at the sharp end.

…Confederate Infantry being trained to deliver a particular pattern of yell

I don't think so. It would just take the recruits listening to the veterans. Same way I picked up a lot of Army jargon without formal classes. ("Roger that", "off load" instead of unload, etc)

And there's no Union Yell because: 1) it doesn't have the same ring as "Rebel Yell", 2) Union troops were far to civilized for such silliness, 3) Union troops were too embarrassed to use the official yell, "Tut, tut lads, let's have no more of this foolishness!"
Of course, I may be wrong on of a few of those points :)

one version from veterans

YouTube link

There actually was a Yankee battle cry. Usually referred to as the Yankee Hurrah. It didn't seem to engender the same sort of reaction as the rebel yell, but it is just as well documented.

Much as I want to believe there was some sort of especially distinctive war cry, I have always thought it was likely that it sounded like some high pitched yelling, not really too different from a lot of other soldiers in the initial part of an assault. Its a lot of energy to use up. Good for morale? A real factor against the opposition? Don't know.

The Yankees were probably neither polite nor quiet under similar circumstances.

There are descriptions of the effect on Union troops on the receiving end. A distinctive sound where you knew that it meant "they're coming this way" is bound to have an effect on anyone waiting, especially if they can't see 'em before they hear 'em.

Good point. And maybe handy to hear where they are are coming from when you can't see em'!

As a Union reenactor I've heard many modern versions of the 'Rebel Yell'. With no fear of actual death attached, I can't say any of them were particularly intimidating. :) We Yankees had our own 'hurrah!' but I doubt we frightened any Rebs, either.

I suspect the Rebel Yell was more encouraging to the rebs than intimidating to the yanks, who were probably half deaf from rifle and artillery reports.