What Exactly Is a Tarheel?-- Part 3: A Civil War Connection

Another story as to how the name Tarheel came about comes to us from the Civil War.

At a battle during the Civil War, North Carolina soldiers were getting on the case of some soldiers from another Confederate state for rapidly leaving (running) a battlefield when things got rough.  They threatened to put tar on the heels of the soldiers from the other state to help them "stick" better in battle.

General Robert E. Lee. when he heard about it is supposed to have said "God bless the Tarheel boys."

So perhaps the name comes from Robert E. Lee.

Now, I Suppose, There Will be Some Offended By the Idea That the Name Came From the Confederacy So the Name Might have to Be Changed So As Not to Hurt Their Feelings.  --RoadDog