Image of Johnny Rebel as depicted on the cover of the book with the same title
Johnny Rebel or Johnny Reb was the slang term for any Confederate soldier, or the Confederate Army as a whole, during the American Civil War[1].
It has also been used as a national personification of the Confederate States of America. Because the country only existed for a few years, Johnny Reb -- as well as his Unionist counterpart Billy Yank -- has never been as formalized and well-known as Uncle Sam who represented the USA as a whole[2].
In newer times, the term seems to be occasionally used for freedom fighters in lyrics and movies.
Modern aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis is nicknamed Johnny Reb as a homage to Senator Stennis, whose home state was Mississippi.
In 1959 Johnny Horton had a hit song entitled Johnny Reb.
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