Hasanoanda the Peacemaker:
The Story and Impact of a Native American Union soldier, Ely Samuel Parker
Owen Arkin
A.P. United States History, Period 5
Mr. Rypma
May 20, 2016
The date is April 9th, 1865. The Confederate Rebels are severely crippled and the South lies in ruins. The terms of surrender are about to be written and signed at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. As the men begin to sit down and discuss the terms, a conflict arises. Angered and surprised at the sight of what they believe to be a mulatto man sitting beside General Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee and the Confederate officer's argue and question his presence. After the shaking of hands and clarification, General Lee soon realizes that the man with …show more content…
After racism and ridicule from whites because of his poor english, he pursued education and leadership positions. Ely Parker studied law and engineering and shared his knowledge with the Iroquois tribe. He became a tribal leader and spiritualist as he continued to develope his relationships with whites in New York City. He became the captain of engineers in the New York Militia in charge of constructing large buildings, levees, canals, lighthouses, and more. In 1851, he worked developing the Erie Canal as the head engineer of the project. During that same year, Ely was also honored as the Grand Sachem and “Donehogawa” (Keeper of the Western door) of the six Iroquois nations because of his wisdom and relationship with white America. Beginning in 1853, Parker was seen by the American government as the chief of the Iroquois nation, and all Indian affairs with the government during this time passed through him. The U.S. government was very aggressive in trying to decrease the Tonawanda Seneca Indian Reservation. With many treaty negotiations and a lot of convincing from Parker, the Senecas were allowed to keep three fifths of their original lands and continue to live peacefully among expanding America. In the late 1850s, Parker was the head Union engineer of the Great Lakes region, where he was in charge of the construction of lighthouses. This position proved to be very …show more content…
During this time, he returned home to assist his tribe and influence education and improvement. The Lincoln administration expelled him from his position because being Native American, he was not seen as politically and visibly fit for the job. In 1861 as the Civil War began with the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Ely Parker wished to aid in the fight against the Confederacy. His request was denied for nearly two years before he was finally granted an engineering position by his dear friend Ulysses S. Grant. Parker worked his way up the ranks, proving valuable with his engineering knowledge, Native American relations, and penmanship. Ely Parker became a Lieutenant Colonel and also General Grant’s leading record keeper as he eventually would write copies of the Terms of Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia in 1865. This is what he is most known for, but his legacy goes far beyond a written
The Story and Impact of a Native American Union soldier, Ely Samuel Parker
Owen Arkin
A.P. United States History, Period 5
Mr. Rypma
May 20, 2016
The date is April 9th, 1865. The Confederate Rebels are severely crippled and the South lies in ruins. The terms of surrender are about to be written and signed at Appomattox Court House, Virginia. As the men begin to sit down and discuss the terms, a conflict arises. Angered and surprised at the sight of what they believe to be a mulatto man sitting beside General Ulysses S. Grant, Robert E. Lee and the Confederate officer's argue and question his presence. After the shaking of hands and clarification, General Lee soon realizes that the man with …show more content…
After racism and ridicule from whites because of his poor english, he pursued education and leadership positions. Ely Parker studied law and engineering and shared his knowledge with the Iroquois tribe. He became a tribal leader and spiritualist as he continued to develope his relationships with whites in New York City. He became the captain of engineers in the New York Militia in charge of constructing large buildings, levees, canals, lighthouses, and more. In 1851, he worked developing the Erie Canal as the head engineer of the project. During that same year, Ely was also honored as the Grand Sachem and “Donehogawa” (Keeper of the Western door) of the six Iroquois nations because of his wisdom and relationship with white America. Beginning in 1853, Parker was seen by the American government as the chief of the Iroquois nation, and all Indian affairs with the government during this time passed through him. The U.S. government was very aggressive in trying to decrease the Tonawanda Seneca Indian Reservation. With many treaty negotiations and a lot of convincing from Parker, the Senecas were allowed to keep three fifths of their original lands and continue to live peacefully among expanding America. In the late 1850s, Parker was the head Union engineer of the Great Lakes region, where he was in charge of the construction of lighthouses. This position proved to be very …show more content…
During this time, he returned home to assist his tribe and influence education and improvement. The Lincoln administration expelled him from his position because being Native American, he was not seen as politically and visibly fit for the job. In 1861 as the Civil War began with the bombardment of Fort Sumter, Ely Parker wished to aid in the fight against the Confederacy. His request was denied for nearly two years before he was finally granted an engineering position by his dear friend Ulysses S. Grant. Parker worked his way up the ranks, proving valuable with his engineering knowledge, Native American relations, and penmanship. Ely Parker became a Lieutenant Colonel and also General Grant’s leading record keeper as he eventually would write copies of the Terms of Surrender at Appomattox Courthouse, Virginia in 1865. This is what he is most known for, but his legacy goes far beyond a written