He was born in Pennsylvania (5, 6). He was 25 years old when he was enlisted (5, 6).
He was a farmer when he was enlisted (5, 6).
He was 5 feet 9-1/4 inches tall, and had a fair complexion, hazel eyes, and dark hair (5. 6).
He was drafted (1, 5, 6). He was enlisted and mustered into service on 17 July 1863 in the 62nd Pennsylvania Infantry (1, 5, 6). He was enlisted for three years (5, 6). His service was credited to the 23rd congressional district (5, 6).
He was captured (4).
He was transferred on 20 July 1864 from company M of the 62nd Pennsylvania to the 91st (1). On 21 July 1864, he, and the other members of companies L and M, were assigned to company G (2). On 22 July 1864, they were transferred to company K, following brigade orders to assign them to the smallest company (3). He was then absent, as a private (3). He served as a private in company K (1).
He died on 2 September 1864 in Andersonville, Georgia (1, 4 [in parole camp]). He is buried there, in grave 7,638 (1).
At the end of June 1865, the regiment reported him absent, in Pittsburg Hospital (10).
On 13 June 1865, his widow, Elizabeth Steel, applied successfully for a pension (7, 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 special order 65, HQ 91st PA, 21 July 1864 (James B Steelle)
3 special order 66, HQ 91st PA, 22 July 1864 (James B Steelle)
4 company K, second register of deaths (Jas B Steele)
5 company K, third descriptive roll (James B Steele)
6 company K, fourth descriptive roll (James B Steele)
7 pension index, by name (James B Steel)
8 pension index, by regiment, 62nd PA Infantry, company M (James B Steel [sic])
9 company K, monthly report, April 1865 (Jas B Steele)
10 monthly return, company K, June 1865 (James B Steele)
[I did not find an entry for him under the 91st PA Infantry in the pension index, by unit (viewed December 2008)]