ELY S. PARKER

(Ely Samuel Parker | Donehogawa)


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Ely S. Parker

We are all Americans, sir.
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The first Native American to become a General Officer. Appointed by President Grant in 1869. When Lee arrived there were many Black troops and he mistook General Parker for a Negro but then apologized saying that “I am glad to see one real American here.” This was Parker’s reply.

Ely S. Parker

To-day, by reason of the immense augmentation of the American population, and the extension of their settlements throughout the entire west, covering both slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the Indian races are more seriously threatened with a speedy extermination than ever before in the history of the country.
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First Indian to hold the position

Ely S. Parker

I don’t know if you want to include this but Grant had a cigar clamped in his mouth the entire time.
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The first Native American to become a General Officer. Appointed by President Grant in 1869. When Kelly rendered the famous scene, the cigar is in Grant’s mouth. Kelly interviewed every Civil War Officer he sculpted and did so for over 80 Union Generals all of which are still exhibited throughout the country. Most historical artists and sculptors did not go into this historical detail.

Ely S. Parker

It is presumed that humanity dictated the original policy of the removal and concentration of the Indians in the West to save them from threatened extinction. But today, by reason of the immense augmentation of the American population, and the extension of their settlements throughout the entire West, covering both slopes of the Rocky Mountains, the Indian races are more seriously threatened with a speedy extermination than ever before in the history of the country
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The first Native American to become a General Officer. Appointed by President Grant in 1869

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Ely S. Parker
© Mathew Brady (uploaded by Hlj)
Ely S. Parker
  • Born:
  • Died: August 31, 1895
  • Nationality: American, Native American
  • Profession: Military Officer
Biography

Ely Samuel Parker, born Hasanoanda, later known as Donehogawa, was a Tonawanda Seneca U.S. Army officer, attorney, engineer, and tribal diplomat. He was commissioned a lieutenant colonel during the American Civil War, when he served as adjutant and secretary to General Ulysses S. Grant. He wrote the final draft of the Confederate surrender terms at Appomattox. Later in his career, Parker rose to the rank of brevet brigadier general. When Grant was elected president, he appointed Parker as Commissioner of Indian Affairs, the first Native American to hold that post.