Rebel Yell?

[Mike S]

Most references and accounts that I have heard of anything approaching a battle cry that could be tied to the Scots in battle have described it as more of a viking like throaty yell and scream, rather than a high pitched whoop like the rebel yell. The later also tended to swell in volume and pitch as it was being executed, like the Southern Cicada, an inspiration it doubtless also derived from.

As I have mentioned, personal memoirs of participants, as well as other first person accounts of the rebel yell in period and post war writings have stated that it was largely sourced from, and sounded like, a Native American war whoop.

[Lake Mist]

This is the only Scottish connection I can find to the Rebel Yell:

[Pleater]

I looked at the whiskey, then I looked at it again.

Whiskey in a brandy glass?

Whiskey not out of the bottle it is standing next to too - if I am any judge.

I probably worry too much.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[Lake Mist]

Americans, we'll drink out of any glass that's handy ... or sometimes not ...

[Tarheel]

I concur with Mike. The mingling of new comers with the Native Americans would have adopted the "war whoop" because of the impact upon those that have never encountered that noise before. I liken it to the eerie wail of pipes leading the Scottish regiments. Some sounds are unsettling to some and endearing to others.

[kiltedtom]

As a historian, I would find it very difficult to pinpoint any particular yell as the origin of the "Rebel Yell." Throughout history, soldiers yelling have been a regular event. The Japanese "chi" of martial arts where the yelling helps gather and release inner energy and strength. Other armies used the noise simply to frighten the enemy. Even the ancient Israelites shouted and brought down the walls of Jericho (Ok, they might have had a little Divine help). Shouting and screaming is the norm in hand to hand battle. In the face of almost certain death, the scream brings bravery.

There are so many things that we want to fit into a predetermined concept of some sort. Any similarity becomes a forced connection between cultures. Listen to young men laughing and screaming, very likely their voices will rise in pitch. Purely natural. Yes, the Union soldiers were afraid of that Rebel Yell, but the Confederate soldiers were no less frightened by the onslaught of yelling Union soldiers too.

Accept the yell for what it was. And hope that some day, this world will not need any more battle cries. (Ok, I am a left over hippy wanna be. I know the world is not now nor probably ever will be as I would like it, but I still try to dream of peace. And I will never give up those great old songs.)

Anyway, hope you all have a great holiday season coming up.

Tom