The History of the Rebel Yell - Paperback

by Terryl Elliott (Author)

"A well-written book that should appeal to all history and Civil War buffs." --Frank Haight, The Examiner (Independence, MO)

The South's renowned Rebel Yell and its unique, demoralizing effects have been documented throughout history. Whether as a planned part of a battle strategy or as an instinctual expression of adrenaline, the yell motivated the rebel soldiers and unnerved the enemy. In this definitive work, the mighty hollers of these warriors as they met their foes in battle are detailed as are their origins and nature. This work sets out to recapture the yell, which has been largely lost to time, and bring it back to life at full volume.

Historian Terryl W. Elliott suggests a substantial theory of the origins of the yell in Scotch-Irish history and analyzes its many variations and historical descriptions. Also assessed in these chapters are the few recorded versions of the Rebel Yell. This work includes historic stories and poems featuring the yell before concluding with a list of references.

Recipient of the John Newman Edwards Award for Civil War era history writing

"Elliott's book is great!" --S. Waite Rawls III, president and CEO, Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia

"A classic of Civil War history." --Steve Cottrell, Civil War historian and author

Back Jacket

Recipient of the 2011 John Newman Edwards Award for Civil War era history writing

"Elliott's book is great!"
-S. Waite Rawls III, president and CEO, Museum of the Confederacy, Richmond, Virginia

" . . . a marvelous job . . . I am very impressed."
-Monte Akers, attorney, Civil War historian, and author

" . . . a well-written book that should appeal to all history and Civil War buffs."
-Frank Haight, Independence (MO) Examiner

" . . . a classic of Civil War history."
-Steve Cottrell, Civil War historian and author

Renowned throughout the world, the South's Rebel Yell and its unique, demoralizing effect have been documented throughout history. Whether as a planned part of a battle strategy or as an instinctual expression of adrenaline, the yell motivated the rebel soldiers and unnerved the enemy. The mighty hollers of these warriors as they met their foes in battle were the inspiration behind this insightful text.

Detailed here are the origin and nature of the Rebel Yell, a piece of history largely lost to time. The text offers a substantial theory of the derivation of the yell, analyzes its variations, and assesses the few documented descriptions and recorded versions in their historical context. The book includes stories and poems featuring the yell and concludes with a list of references.

Terryl W. Elliott is an author, historian, and poet whose work has appeared in various regional publications. A former purchasing consultant and business owner, he belongs to numerous Civil War, history, and writing organizations. Elliott lives in Independence, Missouri, with his wife and their dog.

Author Biography

Terryl W. Elliott is a writer, historian, and poet, whose work has appeared in various local and regional publications. Born in Independence, Missouri, and raised in the small towns of Grain Valley and Blue Springs, Missouri, Elliott spent his childhood on a farm playing with his dog, Old Shep, and his baby brother, Blake. A former encyclopedia salesman, product manager, and purchasing consultant, Elliott owned his own vending business before selling it in 2000 to pursue his dream of writing. Elliott belongs to numerous Civil War, history, and writing organizations, including the State Historical Society of Missouri, the Civil War Round Table of Western Missouri, and the William Clarke Quantrill Society. He lives in Independence, Missouri, with his wife, Sharon, and their dog.