The Pike-Roane Duel

Throughout the war, Albert Pike sent letters to Little Rock’s Whig newspaper. These letters criticized both Archibald Yell and John Selden Roane’s leadership of the regiment and noted that their troops were not drilled well. This was true, since Yell’s men were called the “Mounted Devils” due to their lack of drilling and discipline. Roane wrote similar letters questioning the valor and military expertise of Pike’s unit; one letter even suggested that Pike's men did not fight at the Battle of Buena Vista. This was not true. Pike’s squadron was attached to the reserves. Although they were withheld from the fighting for much of the battle, when they were committed it was where the fighting was the fiercest. In at least two instances this was in support of the beleaguered left flank alongside Roane’s Arkansans, although it is easy to see how this might be regarded as a day late and a dollar short by the constantly beset Arkansans under Roane.

Ultimately, Pike and Roane decided to settle their disagreement with a duel in Indian Territory near Fort Smith. On July 26, 1847, they shot at each other twice and prepared for a third round. The etiquette of the times demanded that shots be exchanged once a challenge had been issued. At that point both parties’ seconds could attempt to negotiate reconciliation. Deliberately missing one’s first shot was considered the gentlemanly thing to do, but it required a careful assessment of the lethalness of your opponent’s intentions. It was apparently Pike who extended this game of cat and mouse by insisting on a second shot. Pike was reportedly so calm during the event that he smoked a cigar the entire time, but he grew angry when Roane’s second shot came close enough to flutter his beard. "I want one more fire at him and would hit him in a vital part," Pike said. A doctor talked them out of exchanging a third shot. The men agreed to terms and also not to discuss the matter. The terms were eventually published in the Arkansas Gazette and the Banner.