Belden was a well-known guide, scout, hunter, and trapper, an officer in the U.S. Calvary, who for 12 years lived among various tribes of Plains Indians, marrying a native woman. He became a famous writer of western affairs.
In 1870, Belden's published "Belden: The White Chief," In addition to describing his own remarkable life, Belden comments on the customs of the Indians, particularly their family life. Includes how to directions on Indian woodcraft including bows, arrows, and other weapons as well as tools, shelters, cooking methods, etc.
Belden could speak several Indian languages fluently, including their various dialects, and understood the sign language perfectly. During all his career among the Indians, as demonstrated in his book he made a study of their legends and traditions, and probably no man in the West knew more in regard to their history.
After leaving the army Belden became a contributor to the Sioux City Journal, which said of Belden, "We have talked to him many times of his reckless ways and sought to influence him to some noble ambition; but he thought fate was against him, and insisted that it was useless for him to try to be different than he was. And so, he pursued his reckless life to his death."
