Drawing: Surrender at Appomattox Court House

Original pencil sketch by Ely S. Parker of Robert E. Lee surrendering to Ulysses S. Grant on April 9, 1865; measuring 5 inches by 8 inches. On the sketch, New York artist James E. Kelly penned: "Diagram of the room in which Lee surrendered, given me by Gen. Parker, Nov. 1 in 80, J. E. Kelly." ---- Drawn by Parker sometime after witnessing the historic event, the sketch identifies by name the officers present in Wilmer McLean's parlor, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia ---- Left to right: Charles Marshall; Lee and Grant; Orville E. Babcock; Ely S. Parker; Theodore S. Bowers; (added "door" ); John Aaron Rawlins; Seth Williams; Adam Badeau, Horace Porter, (added "door," "window," "Front of House," and "window"). This piece is in fine condition, no fading or wear, notwithstanding the inferior quality of the accompanying images, due to poor lighting and reflections on glass. ---- Seneca chief and grand sachem of the Iroquois Confederacy, Parker was trained in the law and excelled as a civil engineer, collaborated on the first scientific account of indigenous peoples, and was later appointed by Grant to oversee the Office of Indian Affairs, the first Native American to hold that office, and charged to conjoin at-odds white and indigenous cultures through Grant's well-intentioned Peace Policy. Parker had formed a friendship with Grant in Galena, Illinois, before the Civil War, which lead to his service on Grant's military staff from Vicksburg to Appomattox, where, after Lee had hailed him a "real American," he responded unequivocally that "We are all Americans." It was Parker who Grant entrusted to transcribe the terms of surrender which for all practical purposes ended the war. ---- According to Parker biographer William H. Armstrong, Kelly was sent by the editor of Bryant's "Popular History of the United States" to ask Parker's advice on the illustration he was preparing of the surrender at Appomattox. After his consultation (at which time Parker may have presented the artist with this sketch to ensure accuracy), Kelley produced his famous 1880 drawing, "The Surrender of Lee," which appeared in Bryant's "Popular History" and was later reproduced in Armstrong's definitive "Warrior in Two Camps: Ely S. Parker, Union General and Senecca Chief." In 1890, Kelly made his iconic bust of Parker, attired in military uniform with a tribal medal of honor around his neck. Because of their close friendship, Kelly was adopted by the Senecas, and given the name of Ga-nos-qua. ---- This unique piece of eye-witness memorabilia documenting the Appomattox surrender is professionally matted and framed, together with a reproduction of Kelly's drawing, "The Surrender of Lee.".…