The Confederate General Who Won His Greatest Victory Then Got Shot by His Own Men

Chancellorsville, Virginia

Stonewall Jackson’s flanking maneuver at Chancellorsville was brilliant. His troops crushed the Union right wing in minutes. But victory turned tragic when Confederate sentries mistook Jackson’s scouting party for enemy cavalry in the moonlight. Here’s the full story at this preserved Civil War site.

Lee and Jackson Discover the Exposed Union Flank

Cavalry leader J.E.B. Stuart brought Lee and Jackson valuable news. The right side of Hooker’s army stood completely unprotected.

The Union XI Corps, led by General Oliver Howard, had camped carelessly along the Orange Turnpike. General Fitzhugh Lee rode close enough to see Union soldiers eating dinner and playing cards.

Howard’s men had no idea Confederate forces were nearby. This mistake gave Lee and Jackson a perfect target for their surprise attack.

The 12-Mile March Around the Union Army

Jackson left early on May 2 with 28,000 men, nearly two-thirds of Lee’s army. His troops marched through thick woods known as the Wilderness.

Their path stretched 12 miles around the Union position. The soldiers moved quickly despite rough terrain and narrow paths.

By late afternoon, Jackson’s men reached their spot west of the Union forces. They quietly formed battle lines while staying hidden among the trees.

The Surprise Attack Begins

At 5:15 PM, Jackson’s troops burst from the forest. The first warning Union soldiers had came from wild animals running ahead of the advancing Confederates.

Jackson’s battle line stretched across the Orange Turnpike. His soldiers moved forward with bayonets fixed, shouting as they charged.

Union troops, caught in the middle of their evening meal, scrambled to defend themselves. Most had no time to form proper battle lines.

The Union XI Corps Collapses

Howard’s XI Corps took the full force of Jackson’s attack. Many units broke apart immediately as soldiers fled eastward in panic.

The Union right flank crumbled under the pressure. Within just two hours, Jackson’s men had routed 11,000 Union soldiers from three divisions.

The fleeing Union troops retreated nearly three miles toward Chancellorsville. They left behind equipment, supplies, and artillery in their rush to escape.

Brief Union Resistance at Dowdall’s Tavern

Not everyone ran. Colonel Adolphus Buschbeck organized his New York and Pennsylvania brigade into a defensive line near Dowdall’s Tavern.

Captain Hubert Dilger’s Ohio artillery supported this position, firing at the oncoming Confederates. This temporary stand became known as the Buschbeck Line.

Despite their brave effort, Buschbeck’s men couldn’t stop Jackson’s attack. They eventually joined the retreat after buying time for other Union troops.

Darkness Halts Jackson’s Advance

By 9:00 PM, darkness covered the battlefield. The Confederate attack slowed as units got separated in the woods and night fell.

Many soldiers had marched all day before fighting and grew tired. The dense forest made it hard to keep formation in the dark.

Jackson wanted to keep attacking despite these problems. He ordered General A.P. Hill to bring fresh troops forward to press the retreating Union forces.

Jackson Plans a Night Reconnaissance

Jackson decided to scout the Union positions himself. A bright full moon lit the way for his mission.

He rode forward with several staff officers to find the best route for a night attack. Such attacks rarely happened during the Civil War because fighting in darkness caused confusion.

The small group moved along Mountain Road beyond their own lines, getting close to the new Union positions set up after the retreat.

The 18th North Carolina Takes Position

While Jackson scouted, the 18th North Carolina Infantry took up positions along the Plank Road. These soldiers were part of General James Lane’s Brigade.

Some reports say Jackson himself had placed the regiment at this spot earlier that day. The North Carolinians had fought hard during the afternoon attack.

The soldiers had strict orders to watch for Union cavalry that might try to sneak through their lines in the darkness.

The Fatal Mistaken Identity

Around 9:00 PM, Jackson and his group headed back toward Confederate lines. As they approached the 18th North Carolina’s position, guards called out “Halt, who goes there?”

Before they could properly answer, Major John D. Barry of the 18th North Carolina yelled, “It’s a lie! Fire!” The regiment shot a volley of musket fire.

In the darkness and confusion, the soldiers had mistaken their own general for enemy cavalry scouts.

Jackson’s Wounds and Immediate Aftermath

Three bullets hit Jackson: two in his left arm and one in his right hand. Several of his officers and horses also fell in the volley.

Captain Wilbourne and Lieutenant Win helped the wounded general from his horse and bandaged his wounds with handkerchiefs. During evacuation, soldiers carrying Jackson dropped him when one bearer was shot.

The next day, surgeon Hunter McGuire amputated Jackson’s left arm. Despite treatment, Jackson developed pneumonia and died on May 10.

Visiting Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park

You can explore the site of Jackson’s flanking attack within Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. The park is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Start at the Chancellorsville Visitor Center at 9001 Plank Road, Spotsylvania, VA.

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