I was watching the movie Lincoln last night and I noticed something interesting.
In that first scene by the steam boat, one of the U.S soldiers standing behind General Grant appeared to be Native American.
Did the United States army in the 1860s allow Native Americans to be officers? Or were the similar to the restrictions African American soldiers faced?
The individual you are thinking of is most likely Eli S. Parker, General Grant's adjutant for the war. Lieutenant Colonel Parker was a Seneca Indian who drafted the final terms of surrender at Appomatox for the Confederates, and was present at their signing. After the war, he rose to the rank of brevet Brigadier General and was appointed as the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.
Citations: Ken Burns: The Civil War, PBS