Alabama.--General Works. Histories.

Official Symbols of Alabama The nickname "Yellowhammer" was applied to the Confederate soldiers from Alabama when a company of young cavalry soldiers from Huntsville, under the command of Rev. D.C. Kelly, arrived at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, where General Forrest's troops were stationed. The officers and men of the Huntsville company wore fine, new uniforms with bits of brilliant yellow cloth on the sleeves, collars and coattails. As the company rode past Forrest's troops, who were dressed in faded, worn uniforms, one of the soldiers cried out in greeting "Yellowhammer, yellowhammer, flicker, flicker!" From that moment on the Huntsville soldiers were known as the "Yellowhammer Company." The term quickly spread throughout the Confederate Army, and soon all Alabama troops were unofficially known as the "Yellowhammers."