Rebel Yell??

Was reading about the 1st Battle of Winchester (May 25, 1862) in which Richard Taylor's Louisiana Brigade (Wheat's Battalion, 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th Louisiana Regiments) executed a brilliant surprise flank attack. The Yankee brigade that the Louisianians slammed into was commanded by Colonel George H. Gordon of the 2nd Massachusetts. Gordon was forced to relinquish is high ground outside of Winchester and retreat his men through the streets of the town. In doing so, Gordon reported:

"The yells of a victorious and merciless foe were above the din of battle...".

Heard above the din of battle? The famed 'Rebel Yell'?

Another account comes from Captain Samuel Zulich of the 29th Pennsylvania. Taylor's flank attack hit the right flank of Zulich's regiment. It attempted to turn and take on the Louisianians. Zulich explains what happened next:

"We received their fire for some minutes and promptly returned it. For a moment the enemy seemed to stagger, but it was only for a moment; for, feeling confident in their great strength, they charged down the hill upon us, with deafening cheers."