Ely Parker

Brigadier General Ely Parker (1828-1895), a Seneca Indian born in Indian Falls, was in the Union army during the American Civil War, and wrote the final draft of the surrender terms at Appomattox. At one point, he was head of the Federal Commission on Indian Affairs. At first, Parker was told by Secretary of War, William H. Seward that he could not join the army since the Civil War was a "white man's war." Parker was, however, admitted into the military after Ulysses Grant intervened. During the surrender in the Appomattox Court House, Robert E. Lee mistook Parker for a black man, but apologized saying "I am glad to see one real American here."

• Biography from PBS's "The Civil War"
• Article from "History of Buffalo"