[Fort Laramie N.T. (Nebraska Territory)] July 15, 1853 blue postmark and "Paid 3" rate on folded letter to New York, letter in German from a private in the 6th US Infantry who was later killed in August 1854 Grattan massacre, letter (translation) includes, "On the 15th of this month we were sent under danger of life in a small canoe across the extremely swollen Platte River against about 2,000 Sioux Indians who had fired on one of our noncommissioned officers ... 5 had to pay with their lives and about 4 with deadly wounds - we made 2 prisoners.....," address leaf aged and some discoloration

ex Risvold and Walske (Image)