Most of us are unaware of the roles Native Americans played during the American Civil War. Below is information on one influential Native American as we continue to celebrate Native American Heritage Month. General Parker reached the height of his military career when he wrote up the terms of surrender for Gen. Robert E. Lee to sign at Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865. Parker was born in 1828 in Genesee City, New York, as a Seneca, although much of his life was spent straddling two cultures. For example, Parker acquired knowledge of his grandfathers Iroquoian religion, while he was educated at the local Baptist school. Raised and educated in two cultures, he was a trained attorney and a self-taught engineer. While a captain of engineers with the Rochester regiment of the New York State Militia, he was also a sachem, one of the honored positions in his tribe and active in Tonawanda affairs. Parker was described by contemporaries as having a muscular, imposing physical presence. Although he was highly educated and spoke perfect English, enlisted men and officers referred to him as the Indian or Grants Indian or Big Indian. Despite being barred from practicing law and receiving an initial rejection from military service because of his race, Parker rose to General Ulysses S. Grants staff. In 1863, with Grants support, he was commissioned as a staff officer for Brig. Gen. John E. Smith. He later joined Grants staff. His commission as a brigadier general was backdated to April 9, 1865. After the war, Parker remained Grants secretary and used his military fame to advance his post-war career. Grant served as his best man when Parker married Minnie Sackett, a white woman. In 1869, then-President Grant appointed him as the first non-Caucasian commissioner of Indian Affairs, amid considerable controversy. Corrupt profiteers and overzealous religious leaders led to his political downfall, instigating an investigation by the House of Representatives. Although he was exonerated from accusations of fraud, illegal contracts and numerous violations of law, Parker resigned in disgrace. His subsequent business career failed in the Panic of 1873. He survived in his final years through favors and handouts from former military colleagues. At the time of his death in August, 1895, Parker was impoverished, leaving his widow with only a carbon copy of the document he had written at Appomattox. Information courtesy of: alexandriava.gov/historic/fortward/default.aspx?id=40164
Posted on: Thu, 20 Nov 2014 17:14:00 +0000
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