Ely Parker
Brigadier General
Ely Parker (
1828-
1895), a Seneca Indian born in Indian Falls, was in the
Union army during the
American Civil War, and wrote the final draft of the surrender terms at
Appomattox. At one point, he was head of the Federal Commission on Indian Affairs. At first, Parker was told by
Secretary of War,
William H. Seward that he could not join the army since the Civil War was a "white man's war." Parker was, however, admitted into the military after
Ulysses Grant intervened. During the surrender in the
Appomattox Court House,
Robert E. Lee mistook Parker for a black man, but apologized saying "I am glad to see one real American here."
