Roman Nose

Hook Nose (Cheyenne: Vóhko'xénéhe, also spelled Woqini and Woquini), better known as Roman Nose (c. 1823 - September 17, 1868), was a Native American of the Northern Cheyenne, and possibly the greatest and most influential warrior during the Plains Indian War of the 1860s. Born during the prosperous days of the fur trade in the 1820s, he was called Sautie (Bat) as a youth. He later took the warrior name Hook Nose, which the whites interpreted as Roman Nose.

Considered invincible in combat, this fierce warrior distinguished himself in battle to such a degree that the U.S. military mistook him for the Chief of the entire Cheyenne nation. Following the Sand Creek Massacre in November 1864, Roman Nose became a principal figure among his People, leading retaliatory strikes against Euro-American settlements at the Battle of Julesburg along the Platte Road and Powder River regions of south-central Wyoming and in the Platte valley of Nebraska, western Kansas, and eastern Colorado. The Native American author and physician Charles A. Eastman once wrote of Roman Nose, "Perhaps no other warrior attacked more emigrants along the Oregon Trail between 1860-1868."

Contrary to popular myth, Roman Nose was never a chief, nor a leader of any of the six Cheyenne military societies. However, known to all plains Indians as a great warrior, and the acknowledged leader during combat, Roman Nose's reputation spread among the whites who credited him with initiating most hostilities between the Cheyenne and U.S military. A member of the Crooked Lance Warrior Society, Roman Nose continually refused seats among the Cheyenne Chiefs and headsmen, and never held a position of authority within his tribe.

Physically imposing in stature, there are several historical references to Roman Nose's flamboyant, intimidating personality and battle prowess. Isaac Coates, General Winfield S. Hancock's surgeon, observed a verbal confrontation between Hancock and Roman Nose outside Fort Larned in April 1867. Coates wrote in his journal; "of all the chiefs, Roman Nose attracted the most attention. He is one of the finest specimens, physically, of his race. He is quite six feet in height, finely formed with a large body and muscular limbs. His appearance, decidedly military, and on this occasion, particularly so, since he wore the uniform of a General in the Army. A seven-shooting Spencer carbine hung at the side of his saddle, four large Navy revolvers stuck in his belt, and a bow, already strung with arrows, were grasped in his left hand. Thus armed and mounted on a fine horse, he was a good representative of the God of War; and his manner showed plainly that he did not care whether we talked or fought..."

Roman Nose opposed treaties with the United States Federal Government, while other leaders urged peace. Following the implementation of the Treaty of the Little Arkansas in 1865, Roman Nose moved south, pledging to assist his friends, Bull Bear, Grey Beard, and the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers, defend their ancestral hunting grounds along the Smoky Hill River and within the Republican Valley. He was killed by American soldiers during the Battle of Beecher Island on September 17, 1868, while attempting to charge the island in the Arikaree River, and annihilate General Forsyth's command.

He was mostly known as "Roman Nose." Some of his other aliases were Arched Nose, and Woo-kay-nay. Roman Nose was known by his peers as being dedicated and willing to protect his people. Roman Nose was known as a warrior with many skillful and bold tactics to fight against his enemies. Roman Nose was also known to be a very spiritual individual and practiced traditional Cheyenne medicine. Roman Nose and his peers believed it was this medicine that protected him and made him such a great warrior.