Who Was Lee's Right Arm Man That Was Killed at Chancellorsville by His Own Men in 1863?

The man referred to as Lee's "right arm man" who was killed at the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863 by friendly fire was Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.

The Indispensable Lieutenant

General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson was one of the Confederacy's most brilliant and daring commanders, earning the profound trust and admiration of General Robert E. Lee. His strategic acumen, swift maneuvers, and unwavering resolve made him an indispensable asset to Lee's Army of Northern Virginia. Lee himself famously likened the loss of Jackson to losing his own right arm, a testament to the crucial role Jackson played in the Confederate war effort.

The Tragic Incident at Chancellorsville

The Battle of Chancellorsville, fought in May 1863, was a significant Confederate victory but came at a tremendous cost. On the evening of May 2, 1863, after leading a highly successful flank attack that surprised the Union forces, Jackson was returning to his lines with his staff to reconnoiter. In the darkness and confusion of the dense wilderness, he and his party were mistakenly fired upon by their own Confederate pickets.

Jackson was severely wounded, suffering two bullet wounds to his left arm and one to his right hand. His left arm required amputation the following day. Despite initial hopes for his recovery, Jackson contracted pneumonia while recuperating and succumbed to the illness eight days after being wounded, on May 10, 1863. His death was a devastating blow to the Confederacy and a personal tragedy for Robert E. Lee.

Here's a summary of the key details:

Jackson's untimely death at the Battle of Chancellorsville deprived the Confederacy of one of its most capable field commanders and significantly impacted the course of the American Civil War.