Twelve Years Among the Wild Indians

by George P. Belden, James S. Brisbin (Editor)

Young George Belden lived one of the most remarkable of lives of any man on the western frontier of America. A runaway at 13, he lived among the Sioux, learning their language and ways, and married a young Sioux woman to whom he became very attached. Though a young man, he was regarded as a writer of merit in regards to his work on Native Americans. He later served in the U.S Army cavalry with Major James Brisbin, who collected the material you're about to read from Belden's diaries and manuscripts. Brisbin was also a writer of note in his day and was also part of the Montana Column under General John Gibbon that was slated to unite with General George Armstrong Custer at the Little Bighorn. Belden's time among the Indians was exciting, fraught with danger, amusing, and even heartwarming. This edition contains new material and annotations for a modern audience. Every memoir of the American West provides us with another view of a time that changed the country forever.

360 pages, Paperback

First published January 12, 1870

About the author

George Pfouts Belden (1844-1871) lived among the Plains Indians as a hunter, trapper, and guide. He also served as a lieutenant in the army but he was court-martialed and cashiered in 1869. He was murdered in 1871.

Reviews

[Mary Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading time well spend

I just finished reading this book, I know I must reread it to truly appreciate the history it presented and the excellent writing and story telling.

[Ebook Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, the e-book version can be found at:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/beld...

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

George Belden ran away from home in Ohio at age 13 in about 1850 for the express purpose of living in the outdoors and hunting. He went to Nebraska and joined a band of Indians up the Missouri at 14. He led an Indian life until the Civil War, when he joined the Union Army and spent time as a soldier out west before returning to his old ways, disappearing from Medicine Creek in 1870. He sent his diary (manuscripts) to Gen. James Brisbin of the army, who published some in newspapers, gaining the attention of the publisher, C.F. Vent. General Brisbin wrote, “It is only fair to say that his career has been more varied and remarkable than that of any pale-face west of the Missouri…” I concur. It's very interesting to be able to go back into history this way.