BOYS IN BLUE

William H Steel, 34th Illinois Infantry, Company F

From the back of this photo:

“Steel with flag borne by 34th Illinois Infantry Company F at the Battle of Stone River, Dec. 31, 1862. Steel was shot seven times–three bullets remained in his body. All color guards and bearers of the flag were killed or wounded. The colors fell in the hands of the 2nd Arkansas regiment under the command of Pat Cleborn, Confederate States of America.”

William H Steel survived the wounds he received in battle, but would not fight again in the war. He would go on to marry and lived in Dixon, IL until the age of sixty-three years.

His obituary, at the time, reads:

“Mr. Steel entered the war in September, 1861. He enlisted in Co. F. 34th Infantry and was mustered Sept. 7, 1861. He was badly wounded at the Battle of Murphysboro, Tenn. on December 31, 1862. He had been found be his brother Charles behind rebel lines, seven bullet holes in his body. Mr. Steel was never able after that battle to do any more soldiering. He was a color bearer for his company and while he was in the army proved a brave soldier.”

©2011 Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum