My # 4 pick for toughest warriors of the Old West would be the Cheyenne Dog Soldiers. They led the attack on Custer’s column at the Little Big Horn, were militaristic and unyielding to the westward expansion, the last line of defense for the tribe. They still exist today. They fought in the World Wars, Korean War, Vietnam and Desert Storm. They wore a long sash, and would stake themselves to the ground with a sacred arrow, no retreat.

Roman Nose, Tall Bull and Porcupine Bear were a few of their great leaders. One historian describes them as the Spartans of the Plains. They were the shock troops of an attack, rear guard on a retreat. John Moore and George Bird Grinnell are good sources to read about this Plains Warrior. If it were possible to go back in history, these were the Men I would have liked to train and hunt and live with. The Cheyenne were my favorite tribe of the Old West, and the Dog Soldiers were their elite fighters.

-Ishmael.