To Col. Barnett:
Send immediately to this place two companies of artillery, with their pieces, horses, and three hundred rounds of ammunition.
JAMES B. STEADMAN,
Colonel Fourteenth Reg’t, O. V. M.
Colonel Barnett answered this telegram, informing Colonel Steadman that the battery was entirely destitute of ammunition for field service. A supply was hourly expected and upon its arrival the detachment would be sent forward with all possible dispatch. In the afternoon Colonel Steadman replied as follows:
Parkersburg. Va., May 28. 1861.
To Col. Barnett:
If you can send two of your companies with their pieces do so at once. The presence of the men and guns will have a good effect. Send forward as many of the Eighteenth Ohio Infantry as are armed and equipped. I want them to garrison this place. These are General McClellan’s instructions.
JAMES B. STEADMAN,
Col. Com’d Fourteenth Ohio.
During this day there was a fusillade of telegrams from all sources, among which were the following:
Cincinnati, Ohio, May 28, 1861.