Roman Nose, a.k.a. Hook Nose (Woqini) (c.1835-1868), 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 halcyon (winter solstice) days of the fur trade, and called Sautie (Bat) as a youth, he took the warrior name Hook Nose, which the whites always interpreted as Roman Nose.
Considered invincible in combat, this fierce warrior distinguished himself in battle to such a high 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, leading retaliatory strikes against Euro-American settlements along the Platte Road and Powder River regions of south-central Wyoming, and later, in the Platte valley of Nebraska, western Kansas, and eastern Colorado territories. The Native American author and physician, Charles A. Eastman {(Ohiyesa) 1858-1939}, 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 leader of any of the six Cheyenne military societies. 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Physically imposing in nature, there are several historical references to Roman Nose's flamboyant, intimidating prowess.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.
One story about his life has become legendary with its re-telling. Roman Nose possessed an elaborate warbonnet that he believed gave him special powers. The Medicine Man White Bull (Ice) made the warbonnet and assured Roman Nose he would be impervious to the white man's bullets. As a condition of owning such a powerful headpiece, Roman Nose could not use the white man's implements. Prior to heading to the battle, he ate some meat. Unbeknown to him, a female member of his tribe had poked the meat using an iron fork. As he left for battle, he was made aware of this action but did not have the time to perform the necessary cleansing ceremony to restore his medicine. He did not participate in the fighting as he normally would, preferring to watch the battle from afar. He was chastised by a fellow warrior named White Contrary for his lack of participation. Shortly after acknowledging that he would die for resuming hostilities before completing the cleansing ceremony, Roman Nose led his final assault on Beecher Island. He was shot at close range during the attack and died late that afternoon.[1]
The demise of Roman Nose had devastating effects on the Cheyenne's efforts to defend native lands, which virtually ended with the defeat of Tall Bull and the Dog Soldiers, at the Battle of Summit Springs, near Sterling, Colorado, in July 1869.
, *"The Battle of Beecher Island", The Beecher Island Battle Memorial Association, Wray, CO, 1996.