John Selden Roane

His Excellency John Selden Roane
4th Governor of Arkansas
In office April 19, 1849 – November 15, 1852
Preceded by	Richard Byrd as Acting Governor
Succeeded by	Elias Conway
Member of the Arkansas House of Representatives
In office 1842–1844
Personal details
Born	(1817-01-08)January 8, 1817 Wilson County, Tennessee, U.S.
Died	April 8, 1867(1867-04-08) (aged 50) Jefferson County, Arkansas, U.S.
Resting place	Oakland Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse	Mary Kimbrough Smith
Relations	Archibald Roane (uncle)
Children	Sallie Kimbrough Roane Mary Roane Bethunia Lea Roane Martha Dillon Roane Hugh Selden Roane
Parent(s)	Hugh Roane Hannah Calhoun
Alma mater	Cumberland College
Occupation	Lawyer, politician, planter
Military service
Allegiance	United States of America Confederate States of America
Branch/service	United States Volunteers Provisional Army of the Confederate States
Years of service	1846–1847 1862–1865
Rank	Colonel File:Confederate States of America General.png Brigadier-General
Commands	Mounted Arkansas Infantry Regiment Roane's Brigade
Battles/wars	Mexican–American War Battle of Buena Vista American Civil War Battle of Whitney's Lane Battle of Prairie Grove

John Selden Roane (January 8, 1817 – April 8, 1867) was an American politician who served as the 4th Governor of Arkansas from 1849 to 1852.

Early Life and Education

John Selden Roane was born in Wilson County, Tennessee, and educated at Cumberland College, which at the time was located in Princeton, Kentucky. He migrated to the new state of Arkansas in 1837, studied law, and was admitted to the bar.

Political career

Roane was Prosecuting Attorney for the 2nd Judicial District of Arkansas from 1840 to 1842, a member of the Arkansas House of Representatives from 1842 to 1844, and the 4th Governor of Arkansas from 1849 to 1852.

U.S. Volunteers (1846–1847)

At the outbreak of the Mexican-American War, Roane was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the Arkansas Mounted Infantry Regiment, succeeding to command when Colonel Archibald Yell was mortally wounded repelling the charge of the Mexican lancers at the Battle of Buena Vista. Roane was officially appointed Colonel on February 28, 1847. He was known to be jealous of the honor of his state and once challenged Albert Pike to a duel over what he perceived as derogatory statements made about the regiment's actions in the war. The duel was fought, but neither combatant was injured.

Provisional Army, C.S. (1862–1865)

On March 20, 1862, Roane received a commission as Brigadier-General in the Provisional Army of the Confederate States. After most troops were moved from Arkansas across the Mississippi River, he was placed in charge of the defense of Arkansas. At this time the state was nearly defenseless; and Roane, with the newly appointed commander of the Trans-Mississippi District Major-General Thomas Hindman, cobbled together a reasonable defensive force. Roane's brigade took part in numerous battles in the Trans-Mississippi District, including the Battle of Whitney's Lane, Arkansas, and then the Battle of Prairie Grove, Arkansas.

Personal life

On February 1, 1855, Roane married Mary Kimbrough Smith (1833–1907) in Dallas County, Arkansas.

Later life

Roane died in Jefferson County, Arkansas, and is buried at Oaklawn Cemetery in Little Rock.

See also

• List of Governors of Arkansas
• Buena Vista order of battle
• Prairie Grove order of battle

References

• Donovan, Timothy P.; Gatewood, Willard B. Jr.; Whayne, Jeannie M., eds. (1995). The Governors of Arkansas: Essays in Political Biography (2nd ed.). Fayetteville, Ark.: University of Arkansas Press. ISBN 1-55728-331-1.
• Warner, Ezra J. (1997). Generals in Gray: Lives of Confederate Commanders. Baton Rouge, La.: Louisiana State University Press. ISBN 0-8071-0823-5.

External links

• John Selden Roane at the Encyclopedia of Arkansas History & Culture
• John Selden Roane at Find a Grave
• John Selden Roane at National Governors Association
• John Selden Roane at The Political Graveyard