The Name Tarheel Has a Civil War Connection

In  my Down Da Road I Go blog, I have been writing about where the name Tarheels comes from in connection with the UNC-Chapel Hill winning the NCAA  National Basketball Championship earlier this month.

There are two theories as to where the name comes from.

One has to do with the American revolution and the other with the Civil War.

You can read about it by clicking on the Down Da Road I Go site to the right of this.

Of course, since the name Tarheel may have come from Confederates, I guess a new name will have to be found.  The Big "S" word, you know.

What Did It Have To Do With Gen. Lee? --Old Secesh

The Civil War in North Carolina-- Part 2: Several Legends As to ow the Name "Tarheels" Came Into Being

There are several legends relating to the citizens of the land of tar, turpentine and pitch.  These have been major products of the state in the past (after all, with all those pine trees, you know).

One of these legends comes from the Civil War.

During one of the fiercest battles of the war, North Carolina troops felt they had been let down by another state's regiment.

Members of that other state's regiment taunted the Carolina boys, "Any more tar down in the Old North State, boys?"

The battle weary North Carolinians replied, "Not a bit.  Jeff Davis brought it all up."

And ....  --Old Secesh

The Tarheel Civil War Connection

From the July 8th Keeping It Heel "So Want Is a Tarheel?" by Bryant.

In my Cooter's History Thing Blog of today, I gave a story about the origin of the name from the Revolutionary War.  This is its Civil War possible origin.

During a battle, North Carolina soldiers were giving soldiers from other states a hard time because of withdrawing during tough times.  They threatened to put some of the states multitude of tar  on their feet to keep them from retreating.

It is said that when General Lee heard of the incident, he said, "God bless the Tar Heel boys."

Nothing About Blue Devils Though.  Must be a Yankee Thing.  --Old Secesh