It was not a large room, and the number of officers present on both sides made it relatively crowded.

Grant arrived in a private’s uniform — his higher rank indicated only by the stars on his shoulders — having ridden from the field without time to change.

Lee was in full dress uniform with a sword, which contributed to the visual contrast between the two commanders that observers noted at the time.

Parker was present among the Union officers in the room.

His specific position during the negotiations — whether he was seated, where he stood, what he observed in detail — is not recorded with the precision that later historians would have wished.