Roman Nose – Cheyenne War Chief
By Charles A. Eastman (Ohiyesa)
[Image of The death of Roman Nose (aka Hook Nose) at the Battle of Beecher Island, is depicted in a book from 1895.]
Roman Nose, a prominent figure in the history of the Cheyenne people, stands as a testament to the bravery and resilience of Native Americans during a period of intense conflict with the expanding United States. A contemporary of Dull Knife, another notable Cheyenne leader, Roman Nose distinguished himself as a fierce warrior and a staunch defender of his people’s territory. While perhaps not possessing the same level of political influence as Dull Knife, Roman Nose embodied the spirit of the Native American warrior, commanding respect and inspiring his followers through his courage and imposing presence.
Roman Nose’s legacy is interwoven with the struggles over land and resources that characterized the westward expansion of the United States. Unlike Dull Knife, who primarily engaged in intertribal warfare, Roman Nose focused his efforts on defending Cheyenne territory against encroachment by white settlers and the U.S. military. His military campaigns primarily took place in the region encompassing the Republican and Arickaree Rivers, areas vital to the Cheyenne way of life. It was along the banks of the Arickaree River in 1868 that Roman Nose met his demise during the Battle of Beecher Island, a celebrated, albeit tragic, event in the history of the Indian Wars.
Contemporary accounts and historical analyses suggest that Roman Nose possessed an extraordinary physical presence. Charles A. Eastman, a Dakota physician, writer, and reformer, who wrote extensively about Native American life, considered him to be without peer in terms of bodily perfection and commanding personality, save perhaps for Chief Gall and Washakie during their prime. Eastman, writing in 1918, asserted that no Greek or Roman gymnast could rival Roman Nose’s physical beauty and power. This imposing figure, coupled with his reputation for bravery, undoubtedly contributed to his effectiveness as a war leader.
Roman Nose possessed a unique ability to galvanize his men, inspiring them to acts of extraordinary courage on the battlefield. His arrival on the scene was often enough to incite his warriors to a frenzy of action. However, his leadership style, characterized by reckless grandstand charges, also led to significant losses among his followers. Eastman noted that Roman Nose sacrificed more youths through his influence in battle than any other leader, ultimately falling victim to his own daring tactics.
The image of Roman Nose on the battlefield was a spectacle in itself. He invariably rode a magnificent, spirited horse, adorned in elaborate war regalia, including a striking war bonnet. This imposing figure, coupled with his daring maneuvers, created a mesmerizing display. According to Cheyenne accounts, soldiers were often so captivated by his presence that they failed to accurately target him, even when he rode directly through their firing lines. This perceived invincibility further enhanced his mystique and contributed to his legendary status.
Beyond the battlefield, stories circulated among the Cheyenne people that spoke to Roman Nose’s exceptional skills and resourcefulness. One such tale recounts a buffalo hunt undertaken with his brother-in-law. When his companion’s bowstring broke during a crucial moment, Roman Nose, already having secured his own kill, demonstrated his remarkable dexterity by intercepting the broken arrow mid-air while riding at full speed and using it to successfully take down the buffalo for his companion. This anecdote highlights not only his physical prowess but also his quick thinking and generosity.
Another curious story reveals a more playful side to Roman Nose’s character. He allegedly assisted a Sioux friend in his courtship of a Cheyenne woman. The Sioux man was struggling to win her affection, so Roman Nose devised a plan. Knowing that courtship rituals often took place under the cover of darkness, he arranged for the young woman to elope, ostensibly to spend her honeymoon among his Sioux friends. He then instructed his friend to intercept her. The plan worked, and the Cheyenne maid was carried off by the Sioux man. It was not until the following morning that she realized she had been tricked. However, the story concludes with the implication that she ultimately accepted her fate, and the couple lived happily together, suggesting that perhaps the initial deception was ultimately inconsequential.
Despite these glimpses into his personal life, Roman Nose is primarily remembered for his role in defending Cheyenne territory against the encroachment of white settlers. He is said to have led numerous attacks on emigrant parties traveling west along the Oregon Trail between 1860 and 1868. One particular incident involved an attack on a large group of Mormons. In this instance, the Mormons managed to form a defensive corral with their wagons, providing shelter for their women, children, and horses. The men stood outside the wagons, repelling the Cheyenne warriors with well-aimed volleys. Despite the heavy fire, Roman Nose and his warriors circled the wagons with relentless speed. Whenever a Mormon fell, Roman Nose would charge forward to count coup, a traditional act of bravery and honor. During this engagement, Roman Nose encountered a dead Mormon with a bald head, prompting him to proclaim, "Your Roman Nose has counted the first coup on the longest-faced white man who was ever killed!"
The Battle of Beecher Island, in 1868, proved to be a pivotal moment in Roman Nose’s life and ultimately led to his death. He led an attack on a group of scouting troops commanded by General Forsythe. Initially, Roman Nose believed the task would be relatively easy. However, the initial assault failed, and Forsythe’s command entrenched themselves on a small island in the Arickaree River. Roman Nose, determined to dislodge the troops, attempted to incite his warriors by declaring that the first to reach the island would be entitled to wear a trailing war bonnet, a symbol of great honor. Despite his efforts, the Cheyenne warriors faced intense resistance and were unable to reach the island.
Undeterred, Roman Nose led the charge himself, believing that his presence would inspire his men to victory. According to army accounts, this was a critical moment in the battle, and the outcome could have been disastrous for Forsythe’s command, whose leader was wounded and incapacitated. The danger remained acute even after Roman Nose fell. His lieutenants were determined to cross the river at any cost, but some of the older chiefs ultimately prevailed upon them to withdraw, recognizing the futility of further attacks.
Thus, the life of this brilliant Cheyenne war chief came to an end. Had he survived until 1876, it is speculated that Sitting Bull, the famed Lakota leader, would have gained a powerful ally in the fight against the encroaching United States. Roman Nose remains a symbol of Cheyenne resistance and a reminder of the sacrifices made by Native Americans in defense of their land and way of life.
Written by Charles A. Eastman, 1918. Compiled and edited by Kathy Weiser-Alexander, updated November 2021.
About the Author: Excerpted from the book Indian Heroes and Great Chieftains, by Charles A. Eastman, 1918. (now in the public domain). Charles A. Eastman earned a medical degree from Boston University School of Medicine in 1890 and then began working for the Office of Indian Affairs later that year. He worked at the Pine Ridge Agency, South Dakota, and was an eyewitness to both events leading up to and following the Wounded Knee Massacre of December 29, 1890. Himself part-Sioux, he knew many of the people about whom he wrote.
Also See:
- The Battle of Beecher Island, Colorado
- Cheyenne – Warriors of the Great Plains
- Native American Heroes and Leaders
- Charles Alexander Eastman – Sioux Doctor, Author & Reformer