American Historical Ephemera & Photography

4 1/8 x 5 7/16 in. cabinet photograph on cardstock mount (toning, light spotting/smudging to image; some discoloration and spotting to mount). Photographer's blindstamp to photograph and imprint to mount recto and verso, though verso is mostly obscured by affixed newspaper clipping reporting Parker's death. Image signed "Ely S. Parker, Bvt. Brig. Genl., late U.S.A., Mil. Sec to Genl. U.S. Grant., Do.ne.ho.ga.wa." Parker appears in military uniform in this vignetted bust portrait. 

Ely Samuel Parker was a Tonawanda Seneca engineer, attorney, U.S. Army officer, and diplomat. Serving as Grant's adjutant and military secretary during the war, he was present for Lee's surrender at Appomattox where he famously asserted "We are all Americans." Parker continued to serve in the United States Army after the war, being commissioned an officer in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry and again becoming Grant's military secretary with the rank of colonel. After Grant became president in March 1869, he appointed Parker as Commissioner of Indian Affairs. The first Native American to hold the office, he served from 1869 to 1871.