He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (5). He was 22 years old when he was enlisted (5).
He was a sai[lor?] when he was enlisted (5).
He was 5 feet 7 inches tall, and had a light complexion, hazel eyes, and light hair (5).
He also served in company E of the 52nd Pennsylvania Militia (8).
He was enlisted and mustered into service on 7 October 1861 (1, 5, 6 [1 Oct], 8). He was enlisted for three years, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, by Captain Casner (5). He was mustered in as a private in company K (1).
He was detailed as a clerk in the Provost Marshall's Office, Washington, by an order dated 8 March 1862 (2). According to Lt Col Sinex, he was still there on 13 June 1863 (2), and the regiment had received no official news about him on 8 September 1863, although they suspected he had been discharged (3). According to Bates, he was promoted in 1862 to lieutenant in the 16th VA Volunteers (1).
He was promoted in 1862 (8).
On 13 March 1864, the regiment reported him discharged by order (4, 5 [discharged 1 July 1862]).
In 1890, he was living in Richland, Kalamazoo County, Michigan (6).
On 15 December 1890, he applied successfully from Michigan for a pension (7, 8).
He died in June 1905 (8).
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 letter, 13 June 1863, Sinex to Marvin
3 letter, 8 Sep 1863, Sinex to Marvin
4 consolidated morning report, 13 March 1864 (Albert W Steelman)
5 company K, descriptive roll, entry 79 (Albert W Steelman)
6 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, Richland, supervisor's district 4, enumeration district 103, page 1 (A W Steelman)
7 pension index, by name (Alfred [sic] W Steelman)
8 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company K (Albert W Steelman)