We Are All Americans

Election Day Reflections: Finding Unity in a Divisive Time Through America’s Darkest Hour

Following the re-election of former President Trump, in this time of great stress and national division, I find myself looking to an often forgotten moment from American history that offers hope for unity.

In early April 1865, after four brutal years of conflict, the Civil War was reaching its end. General Ulysses S. Grant, through his relentless strategy, had broken the back of the Confederate Army, trapping Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia (McPherson, 1988). Lee’s troops, once a formidable force, were exhausted, starving, and running out of options. The Confederate capital, Richmond, had fallen and was set aflame by its own retreating soldiers and officials in a final, desperate act (Fellman et al., 2003). For America, it was our true low point. Hundreds of thousands had perished, entire towns and families had been shattered, and the wounds of the war cut deep on both sides (Faust, 2008). Facing no path forward, Lee recognized that surrender was the only option (Catton, 1965).

On April 9, 1865, Lee met Grant at a modest home in Appomattox Court House, Virginia, to discuss terms of surrender (McPherson, 1988). Among Grant’s staff was Ely Parker, a Native American of the Seneca Nation, who served as Grant’s aide-de-camp. Parker’s presence in the room was notable—not only for his rank but because he embodied the diverse, complex fabric of America even in its most divided hour (Warren, 2019).

Ely Parker’s journey to that room had been marked by unique challenges and accomplishments. Originally trained as a lawyer, Parker was denied the chance to practice due to his Native heritage. Undeterred, he became a skilled civil engineer, and it was through this work that he met Grant. As the war broke out, Parker volunteered his services to the Union Army. Initially rejected due to his background, he eventually joined Grant’s staff, where he distinguished himself through his intelligence and integrity, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel (Warren, 2019). By the time of Lee’s surrender, Parker was Grant’s trusted aide, respected not only for his strategic contributions but also for his invaluable role in drafting crucial military documents.

At Appomattox, Parker was there to help draft the surrender terms, ensuring a respectful and official end to the bloody conflict. The terms Grant offered were unexpectedly generous, allowing Confederate soldiers to return home with dignity, even keeping their horses for the spring planting. This gesture signaled Grant’s belief in the need for reconciliation and healing beyond the battlefield (Catton, 1965).

As the meeting concluded and the men in the room began to exchange words, Lee took notice of Parker. Surprised to see a Native American in such a high-ranking position, Lee commented with a tone of acknowledgment, perhaps with a hint of irony, “I am glad to see one real American here” (Warren, 2019). Parker, calm and dignified, responded simply, “We are all Americans.”

In that brief exchange, these two men—once enemies—shared a moment of understanding that transcended the bitterness of the war. Parker’s words carried a profound message: that no matter the depth of division, no matter the pain of conflict, the bonds of national identity could prevail. He spoke to a truth that the war could not erase—that they were bound together, destined to face the future as a single, united nation.

Today, it is easy to feel as though current events are new low points, especially while wounds are fresh and tensions high. But history reminds us that America has seen darker days. The Civil War nearly tore the country apart, yet from that devastation, Americans found a way to rebuild. Parker’s words at Appomattox still resonate, urging us to keep our heads up, to reach across divides, and to remember that, ultimately, we are all on the same team. If we could come back from that low point, we can find a way forward now, united by the spirit that defines us. We are all Americans.

References

Catton, B. (1965). A Stillness at Appomattox. Doubleday.

Faust, D. G. (2008). This Republic of Suffering: Death and the American Civil War. Alfred A. Knopf.

Fellman, M., Gordon, L. L., & Sutherland, D. E. (2003). This Terrible War: The Civil War and Its Aftermath. Longman.

McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.

Warren, L. S. (2019). God, War, and Providence: The Epic Struggle of Roger Williams and the Narragansett Indians against the Puritans of New England. Scribner.