alone, were greeted from the passing derelict regiment with the
question: 'Any more tar down in the Old North State, boys?' Quick
as a flash came the answer: 'No, not a bit, old Jeff's bought it
all up.' 'Is that so; what is he going to do with it?' was asked.
'He's going to put on you-un's heels to make you stick better in
the next fight.' Creecy relates that General Lee, upon hearing of
the incident, said: 'God bless the “Tar Heel” boys,' and from that
they took the name.
(Adapted from Grandfather Tales of North Carolina by R.B. Creecy
and Histories of North Carolina Regiments, Vol. III, by Walter
Clark).