Joshes, Jakes and Chubs

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Texas troops and their fellow Trans-Mississippi pards serving in the Western Theater apparently had a habit of calling each other by the nicknames "Chubs" (Texans), "Joshes" (Arkansans) and "Jakes" (Missourians). Seems to have only been prevalent in the Army of Tennessee, never heard of it being done in Hood's Brigade or by troops in the Trans-Mississippi Theater.


Granbury's Texas Brigade and Govan's Arkansas Brigade in Cleburne's Division:

Some of our boys go to the breastworks in front of us to see what soldiers are there, because they have no confidence in any of them except the Arkansas troops (who are nicknamed "Josh'es" and whenever a Texan meets an Ark. soldier, he says, how are you Josh. Or where are you going Josh &c. It is all the time Josh—).
- Capt. Samuel T. Foster, One of Cleburne's Command.​

The right center of Granbury's Texas brigade, being near the road, with Govan's Arkansaw brigade, or Joshes', as we boys called them to our right.
- Lt. Robert M. Collins, Chapters from the Unwritten History of the War Between the States.​

Ector's Texas Brigade, McNair's/Reynolds' Arkansas Brigade, and Cockrell's Missouri Brigade:

Ector's Brigade from Texas and McNair's from Arkansas were in the Army of Tennessee, and fought side by side in many battles. If either brigade was ever whipped, I don't recollect it. Both brigades had every confidence in each other, and a very strong attachment grew up between them. Ector's Brigade was nicknamed Chubs; McNair's was Joshies. I well recollect that our brigade (Ector's) was camped at Morton, Miss., and McNair's at Meridian, in 1863. I got a short furlough, and went up to Aberdeen, Miss., to see my grandmother. On my return I got into Meridian in the night, and found on the track a car loaded with flour, two hundred pounds in a sack. On inquiry I found that two Joshies were guarding it. I introduced myself as a Chub. I stole one of the sacks and got it on the next train, and went on to Morton, my camp. Every man in these brigades remembers the time down on Big Black, in Mississippi, when Walker separated Ector's and McNair's Brigades. At that time he had a poor opinion of us. He said we had no discipline, and ought to be discharged. Both Ector and McNair resented his remarks, and called on him about it. After the two days' fight at Chickamauga, Gen. Walker apologized for what he said, and complimented both brigades very highly.
- J. G. McCown, Confederate Veteran Vol. 9.​

On March 30 [1864], Cockrell's [Missouri] Brigade was ordered from Demopolis to Lauderdale Springs, Mississippi, where they arrived April 5. . . . While in Camp at Lauderdale Springs they had several friendly contests with Texans of Ector's Brigade, who became very fond of the Missourians [both were in Samuel G. French's Division]. In a friendly fight with flaming pine burrs flying through the air there were charges and counter-charges, flank movements and skillful skirmishing "accompanied by every yell and war whoop known in battle" with the objective to capture the cooking utensils of the opposing force. . . . In their mock fights, neither side became angry. "Both parties seemed to give or take with equal good nature," wrote Lieutenant George Warren. The Texans referred to any Missourian as a "Jake", the Missourians called all the Texans "Chub" and were as fond of what one called "the gallant Texans" as Ector's men were the Missourians.
- Phil Gottschalk, In Deadly Earnest: The History of the First Missouri Brigade, CSA.​

February 5 [1865]
Remained in Mobile for want of transportation. French's division remains here and we must separate from the "Chubs" and "Jakes" again.
- The Civil War Diary of Brigadier General Harris Reynolds. Reynolds is referring to Ector's Texans and Cockrell's Missourians in French's Division.​

Brig. Gen. Thomas Harrison's Cavalry Brigade - 3rd Arkansas Cavalry, 4th Tennessee Cavalry, 8th and 11th Texas Cavalry:

Should you ever meet one of the Eighth or Eleventh Texas or one of the Third Arkansas, ask them if they ever knew any of Paul's people, and see if his eyes don't twinkle. That was our nick name, for the Eighth and Eleventh Texas Chubs. And every man in the Third Arkansas was known as Josh from the Colonel down.
- James C. Ivey, 4th Tennessee Cavalry, Reminiscences of the Boys in Gray, 1861-1865 comp. by Miss Mamie Yeary.​

The 4th (or 8th) Tennessee Cavalry (Baxter Smith's) was known as "Paul's people" throughout the army after their famous Lt. Col. Paul F. "Old Paul" Anderson.

 

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Alabama troops were widely known as "yellowhammers" during the war. There's many different accounts of how they got the name but it comes from a species of bird, the Northern Flicker, now the state bird.

For a time the 41st Alabama Infantry was attached to the Kentucky Orphan Brigade, and according to the fallowing account the "yellowhammers" also christened the Kentuckians with their own nickname.

During Major [Lucien] McDowell's conversation he related an anecdote in regard to the Kentuckians, of Breckinridge's division, in the army then commanded by Bragg. It may have been in print before, but never having seen it, I will repeat it here. During the campaigns of Bragg in Tennessee, the brigade, to which Hervey belonged, bore an active part: it was composed of Kentuckians, except one regiment of Alabamians. It seemed that the Alabamians were given to falling out of ranks upon the march and lying down to rest by the roadside, and the Kentuckians, throwing gibes at them, said they were like the yellow-hammers that flew up and down the fence after pokeberries, and called in question their fighting qualities. The Alabamians retorted by charging all the stealing that was done upon the Kentuckians, and finally the Kentuckians of the brigade went by the soubriquet of "Breckinridge's rogues," and the Alabamians by that of "the yellow-hammers."

In a charge, at the battle of Chickamauga, the Kentucky brigade captured a heavy battery, and General Breckinridge, coming up at the time, some of the men called out, "Well, General, your rogues have stolen you a battery," when a long, lean-looking Alabamian, placing his hand upon one of the pieces near him, said, "Yes, General, and one yellow-hammer." A general burst of merriment followed from all in hearing.
- Ephraim M. Anderson, Memoirs: Historical and Personal.

 

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Here's another account from the letters of J. K. Street, 9th Texas Infantry, Ector's Texas Brigade.

While in Johnston's Army of Relief, Mississippi, June 1863:

Our Ark. brethern (the Ark brig.) [McNair's Arkansas Brigade] left us this morning. The brigade is transferred to Gen. French's Div. Our boys hated to see them leave. There is the kindest feeling existing between the Ark. and Tex. troops. On every battle field we have fought to-gether they have proven themselves the bravest of the brave and worthy of our friendship. Where ever I met a "Josh" (the endearing name given the Arkansians by the Texans) I know that "Chub" (the endearing name given us by the Arkansians) will find him a friend and brother. I held prayer meeting with them last night perhaps for the last time. It was very solumn and impressive. Deep feeling seemed to pervade the entire congregation my charge to them was Pauls 2 Cor. and last chap. "Finally brethern farewell!!" We had a most excellent meeting — had one conversion and a number of anxious inquirers after truth. Our brigade was drawn up in line on the road this morning at rear open order, each rank facing inward and as the "Joshes" past between the two ranks we came to a present arms. This was done thro' military courtesy and as a testimony of our esteem.

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From another letter while in camp at Meridian, Mississippi, 1863:

Tuesday August 11th — I was out at preaching this evening. Bro Surat preached we had a most excellent meeting had four conversions. I almost forgot that I was unwell so much did the sweet comforts of religion rejoice my heart. Our old "Josh" brigd is camped here about a half mile from our camps. Many of them attend our meetings. I was rejoiced last night to see many with whom I had formily sat "in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Our "'Josh' Brigd" is the Ark Brigd that used to be in our Div, and to whom I used to preach to in Tenn, and the one which I organized a "Young Men's Christian Association." We Texans call the Ark. troops "Josh" and they call us "Chub." I never say a better state of feeling than exists between Ark and Tex troops — they are just like bros.​

- J. K. Street Civil War Letters: 9th Texas Infantry from Paris, Lamar County, Texas edited by Julie Williams Coley.