What is the origin of the "Rebel Yell" during the civil war and why did it spook the northern soldiers so much

Question

were thare any "urban legends" during the civil war on either side that spooked ar scared the other side?

Answer 1

Here is a site where you can hear an original yell. "At first (the Rebel Yell) heard like the rumbling of a distant train, it came rushing down the lines like the surging waves upon the ocean, increasing in loudness and grandeur, and passing, it could be heard dying on the left in the distance. Again, it was heard coming from the right to die away again on the distant left. It was renewed three times, each with renewed vigor. It was a yell like the defiant tones of a thunderstorm." The peculiarity of the rebel yell is worthy of mention, but none of the old soldiers who heard it once will ever forget it. Instead of the deep-cheated manly cheer of the Union men, the rebel yell was a falsetto yelp which, when heard at a distance, reminded one of a lot of school boys at play. It was a peculiar affair for a battle yell, but though we made fun of it at first, we grew to respect it before the war is over. The yell might sound effeminate, but those who uttered it were not effeminate by any means. When the Union men charged, it was heads erect, shoulders squared and thrown back, and with a firm stride, but when the Johnnies charged, it was with a jog trot in a half bent position, and though they might be met with heavy and blighting volleys, they came on with the pertinacity of bulldogs, filling up gaps and trotting on with their never-ceasing "ki-yi" until we found them face to face."

When going into battle one uses anything that might give you an edge the Chinese bugle calls; North Vietnamese whistles; I had my men painted out the demons and devils on their armor vehicles and put up Disney characters. Why I hoped they might do a double take!

God Bless You and The Southern People.

Answer 2

The rebel yell (sometimes called the Pibroch of the Confederacy) was a battle cry used by Confederate soldiers during the American Civil War. In ancient days Greek troops used noise and yelling to increase the fear in their enemies. Confederate soldiers would use the yell during charges to intimidate the enemy and boost their own morale, although the yell had other uses.

Personally, I think they still do the Rebel Yell in Texas at football games.

Billy Idol claimed it sounded like "Rawr rawr rawr"

Answer 3

The rebel yell was a celtic war cry. It has the most unearthly sound you ever want to hear. The best description I can give is as follows:
Kreening - yi-yi-yi-yi-yi-yi (done with the mouth wide open moving only the tongue and lower jaw, sound originating at the back of the throat.)
Finish - ah-ooooooooo- ah-yawh. (who are you)

When done properly, garanteed to raise the hair on the back of your neck.

Answer 4

The Yanks were afraid that the Rebel Yell was really a Kenny Rogers song, and they were so spooked they ran home and cranked up some Metallica.