The Remarkable Legacy of Union General Ely Parker: A Story of Leadership and Resilience

In the annals of American history, the contributions of figures like Union General Ely Parker often go overlooked. Yet, Parker’s story is one of resilience, leadership, and unwavering commitment to his country. As a Native American who rose to prominence during the Civil War, Parker shattered stereotypes and blazed a trail of excellence that continues to inspire generations.

Sometimes the most extraordinary stories are about people who stand between worlds, finding ways to bridge seemingly impossible gaps. Imagine being both a Seneca sachem and a Union Army general, a tribal leader and a civil engineer, a man who could write peace treaties in elegant cursive while carrying the traditional name Hasanoanda (“Leading Name”). This was Ely Parker, whose life reads like a study in contradictions – except he made those contradictions make sense.

Growing Up Between Worlds

Born in 1828 on the Tonawanda Seneca Reservation in New York, Ely Parker (born Hasanoanda) came into a world that was already changing rapidly for Native peoples. His parents, who recognized the winds of change, made sure he learned both traditional Seneca ways and Western education. Think about that balance – learning ancient ceremonies and English grammar, tribal leadership and mathematics, all while watching your people fight to keep their ancestral lands.

It’s like being asked to be a translator not just between languages, but between entire worldviews. And Parker would spend his life doing exactly that.

The Door That Wouldn’t Open

Young Parker excelled in his studies and decided to become a lawyer. Here’s where the story takes its first bitter turn – after years of study, he was barred from taking the bar exam because, as a Native American, he wasn’t considered a U.S. citizen. Imagine that moment: being told that no matter how hard you work or how much you learn, some doors will remain closed simply because of who you are.

But Parker did what resilient people often do – he found another door. If he couldn’t practice law, he’d become an engineer instead. While studying engineering, he continued serving his people, using his growing understanding of both worlds to help the Seneca fight for their lands.

Building Bridges (Literally and Figuratively)

By the 1850s, Parker was working as a civil engineer, literally building bridges across New York State. But he was also building metaphorical bridges, serving as a translator and interpreter for his people in their dealings with the U.S. government. He was becoming known in both Native and white societies, forming friendships with influential figures – including a then-unknown former store clerk named Ulysses S. Grant.

Think about the complexity of his position: designing modern infrastructure while helping his people resist forced relocation, wearing Western suits while carrying out his duties as a Seneca sachem. It’s like being asked to build a house while simultaneously trying to prevent your own home from being demolished.

From Sachem to General

When the Civil War broke out, Parker initially tried to raise a company of Iroquois volunteers, only to be turned down because of his race. Again, a door slammed shut – and again, he found another way. His old friend Ulysses S. Grant, now a general, brought him onto his staff as an engineer. Parker’s competence and intelligence soon made him indispensable.

By war’s end, Parker had risen to the rank of brigadier general and was serving as Grant’s military secretary. In one of history’s great ironies, it fell to this Native American man to write out the final surrender terms at Appomattox Court House. Confederate General Lee, upon realizing Parker was Native American, reportedly said, “I am glad to see one real American here.” Parker’s response was both gracious and pointed: “We are all Americans.”

Commissioner of Indian Affairs

When Grant became president, he appointed Parker as Commissioner of Indian Affairs – the first Native American to hold the position. Finally, it seemed, here was a chance to truly help Native peoples navigate their relationship with the U.S. government. Parker worked to reform the corrupt Indian agency system and promote peace between tribes and settlers.

But Washington politics proved to be a battlefield of its own. Parker’s efforts to clean up corruption made him powerful enemies. False allegations of fraud led to investigations that, while clearing his name, effectively ended his ability to enact meaningful change. Think about that bitter lesson: sometimes understanding both worlds isn’t enough if those worlds aren’t ready to change.

The Final Chapters

After leaving government service, Parker turned to Wall Street, showing the same adaptability that had marked his entire life. When that venture eventually failed, he took a job as a clerk with the New York City police department. His final years were spent in relative poverty, though he maintained his dignity and his connections to both his worlds until the end.

Beyond Simple Categories

What makes Parker’s story so relevant is how it challenges our simple categories. He was a traditional Seneca leader who helped modernize the U.S. military’s engineering corps. He was denied the right to practice law but wrote one of the most important surrender documents in American history. He was the highest-ranking Native American in the U.S. government at a time when most Native Americans weren’t even citizens.

The Bridge Builder’s Legacy

Today, when we talk about walking in two worlds or building cultural bridges, we’re talking about challenges Parker faced nearly two centuries ago. When Native professionals navigate corporate America while maintaining their traditional responsibilities, they’re walking a path Parker helped blaze.

A Lesson for Our Time

Perhaps the most powerful lesson from Parker’s life is this: the ability to bridge worlds doesn’t guarantee those worlds want to be connected. Yet he kept building those bridges anyway, knowing that someone would eventually cross them.

When modern Native Americans enter professions where they’re underrepresented, when they face closed doors and find ways around them, when they maintain their cultural identity while excelling in mainstream institutions – they’re carrying forward Parker’s legacy.

Writing Our Own Peace

So the next time you hear someone say you have to choose between worlds, remember Ely Parker. Remember the man who could write a peace treaty in perfect cursive and carry out traditional ceremonies with equal authority. Remember that sometimes the most powerful act of resistance is refusing to be just one thing, insisting instead on being all of who you are.

In a world that still often asks people to choose between their heritage and their ambitions, Parker’s life reminds us that the most interesting paths often run between worlds, not within them.

(Resource links and suggested readings are provided below to deepen understanding and encourage further exploration of Ely Parker’s life and contributions to American history.)

Resource Links:

1. Ely Parker – National Park Service: Link

Suggested Reading:

1. “Ely S. Parker: Seneca Chief, Civil War General, and Diplomat” by William H. Armstrong

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Classroom Activities

Certainly! Here are some class activities for high school students to explore the multifaceted career of Ely Parker:

Biographical Research Project:

• Divide students into small groups and assign each group one aspect of Ely Parker’s career: his role as a businessman, Union General during the Civil War, or Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Have students research their assigned topic using primary and secondary sources, including biographies, historical documents, and scholarly articles.
• Encourage students to create a multimedia presentation or poster showcasing key aspects of Parker’s career, including his contributions, challenges, and legacy.

Debate: The Legacy of Ely Parker:

• Organize a classroom debate on the legacy of Ely Parker, with students taking on roles representing different perspectives: historians, Native American activists, government officials, etc.
• Provide students with guiding questions to frame their arguments, such as:
  • Was Parker’s career primarily defined by his achievements as a Union General, or his advocacy for Native American rights?
  • How did Parker’s experiences as a Native American influence his career choices and priorities?
  • What impact did Parker’s tenure as Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs have on federal Indian policy and Native American communities?

Role-Playing Activity: Treaty Negotiations:

• Divide students into groups representing different stakeholders involved in treaty negotiations between the federal government and Native American tribes during Parker’s time as Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Provide students with historical context and specific scenarios to role-play, such as negotiating land rights, resource allocation, or tribal sovereignty.
• Have students research their assigned roles and develop negotiation strategies based on historical evidence and the interests of their respective stakeholders.
• Facilitate a mock treaty negotiation session where students present their arguments, negotiate terms, and reach agreements based on compromise and consensus.

Creative Writing Assignment: Letters from Ely Parker:

• Ask students to imagine themselves as Ely Parker and write a series of letters reflecting on key moments and challenges in his career, such as his experiences as a businessman, his service as a Union General, or his efforts as Commissioner of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.
• Encourage students to draw on historical research and primary sources to capture Parker’s voice and perspective, as well as the social and political context of the time.
• Have students share and discuss their letters in small groups or as a class, reflecting on the insights gained into Parker’s life and legacy.

These class activities provide opportunities for high school students to delve into the diverse and impactful career of Ely Parker, engaging with historical content in a dynamic and interactive manner.

This is one of several articles in my brief history series about the US Civil War and its ever evolving place in American history. What began in 2010 as a blog series about the 150th anniversary has evolved into so much more.

This post is part of a series where I look at and provide resources for classrooms relating to Native American Heritage. Read more by following this Link