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Interesting US History
A Website Devoted to Interesting Events in U.S. History

 

 
 

 

ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY

May 2, 1863

Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson is Wounded by Friendly Fire

On this day in history, Stonewall Jackson was wounded by friendly fire when Confederate pickets mistook him and his staff for Union cavalry. Jackson was hit by three bullets, two in the left arm and one in the right hand. Although the injuries to his left arm necessitated amputation, it appeared that he would survive.

He was thought to be recovering until he began to show symptoms of pneumonia. Jackson died of complications from pneumonia on May 10. According to Dr. McGuire who was caring for Jackson, his last words were "Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees."