quote:
Auburn "pussycats" nickname also had no links to the WBTS. Auburn adopted the "War Eagle" from ... get this ... a damn-yankee regiment, the 8th Wisconsin who burned and pillaged their way through Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. Never understood why the Aubs did that except maybe to emphasize that Tuscaloosa and the U. of Alabama was burned by the Yankees and Auburn probably welcomed them.

"March 26, 1881), a bald eagle, was the mascot of the 8th Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. Later, his image was adopted as the eagle appearing on a globe in Case Corporation's logo and as the screaming eagle on the insignia of the U.S. Army's 101st Airborne Division."

Wrong Gump.

"War Eagle" is Auburn's battle cry -- not a mascot or nickname. "War Eagle" has become a way for the Auburn family to greet and identify with each other all over the world. Anywhere you're wearing something with an Auburn logo on it, chances are you'll hear a friendly "War Eagle!"

The most popular story about the battle cry dates back to the first time Auburn met Georgia on the football field in 1892 and centers around a spectator who was a veteran of the Civil War. In the stands with him that day was an eagle the old soldier had found on a battlefield during the war. He had kept it as a pet for almost 30 years.

According to witnesses, the eagle suddenly broke free and began majestically circling the playing field. As the eagle soared, Auburn began a steady march toward the Georgia end zone for a thrilling victory. Elated at their team's play and taking the bird's presence as an omen of success, Auburn students and fans began to yell "War Eagle" to spur on their team. At the game's end, the eagle took a sudden dive, crashed into the ground, and died.

But the battle cry "War Eagle" lived on to become a symbol of the proud Auburn spirit."