Pike-Roane Duel
- Ninfa O. Barnard
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
On July 29, 1947, the Pike-Roane duel between Arkansas lawyers Albert Pike and John Roane took place in Indian Territory along the Arkansas River to settle claims about each man’s service in the Mexican-American War.
In 1831, Boston-born lawyer Albert Pike left Massachusetts for Santa Fe, Mexico, to explore the developing West. Along the way, he joined an expedition to explore the headwaters of the Arkansas and Red Rivers. He eventually left the expedition, settling in Fort Smith, Arkansas.
In 1837, Tennessee native John Roane moved to Pine Bluff, Arkansas, where he studied law under his older brother, Samuel Calhoun Roane, a well-known jurist and plantation owner. With his brother’s assistance, Roane soon became one of Arkansas’ frontier elite.
In 1846, the Mexican-American War began as tensions rose over the boundary between Mexico and Texas. In the 1840s, both Pike and Roane commanded troops in the Mexican-American War.
Pike raised and served as commander for the Little Rock Guards, who were incorporated into the Arkansas cavalry regiment of Colonel Archibald Yell. Roane, in turn, raised a company of mounted infantry from Van Buren, Arkansas. From there, he took them to Washington, where they became part of the First Arkansas Mounted Rifles. Roane was promoted to lieutenant colonel by his men before they set off for Mexico. Since the unit was poorly trained and led men with little to no military experience, like Roane, they fared poorly in the 1847 Battle of Buena Vista.
Meanwhile, Pike commanded a company in the regiment and resented the fact that Roane had been promoted to lieutenant colonel, as he felt he was more qualified for the position. Early on, in his service, Pike concluded that the senior officers were incompetent and appointed based on politics, as opposed to leadership skills. He leveled particularly harsh remarks against Lieutenant Colonel Roane in the Arkansas Gazette. Roane was offended by the letter. He soon set in motion a court of inquiry, which temporarily settled the matter.
Unfortunately, after returning to Little Rock, Pike learned that Roane had published letters of his own stating that Pike had never been in battle at Buena Vista. This time, it was Pike’s turn to be offended.
Many historians believe Roane issued the call for a duel, demanding that Pike apologize or “give him satisfaction.” Conversely, Pike's biographer, Walter Brown, recorded that the challenge was issued by Pike. In any case, a duel to defend their respective reputations was soon issued, accepted, and scheduled.
On July 29, 1847, the duel took place in Indian Territory along the Arkansas River, since dueling had been banned in Arkansas Territory since the 1820s. The 1820 Allen-Oden duel between lawyers William O. Allen and Robert C. Oden resulted in the tragic death of Allen. Since that time dueling was punishable by death in Arkansas.
In the 1847 Pike-Roane duel, John Drennen and Luther Chase served as Pike’s seconds, ensuring that the duel was carried out in all fairness. Pike was also accompanied by Dr. T. Thurston, William H. Cousins, and Pat Farrelly. Dr. J. A. Dibrell also served as Pike’s surgeon. Future Arkansas senator Robert Ward Johnson and future Arkansas governor Henry Massie Rector served as Roane’s seconds, while Dr. Philip Burton served as his surgeon.
During the duel, both combatants missed their first shot. With the second round of shots, the bullets grazed their targets. While some parties were willing to continue the duel and take a third shot, some were unwilling. After a heated discussion, both parties decided to end the duel honorably with neither winning nor losing. The newspaper later published the terms by which they settled their duel and disagreement.
Following the duel, both men shook hands and attended a banquet in Fort Smith. Pike eventually moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, for business ventures. He returned to Arkansas a few years later and became involved in politics. Roane later became the fourth governor of Arkansas. Both Pike and Roane commanded Confederate troops in the American Civil War.
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Written by: Ninfa O. Barnard