Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-08-08

Such was the tactical attitude of the
beligerents at the opening of the
fight of May q.
The van of the enemy, hard press
ed by our main fighting squadron,
steered a little starboard, and at
eight minutes after p. m, opened
fire. We did not reply at once, but,
on reaching the range of 5000 met
ers, our fire was fiercely concentrate
ed on the two leading ships of the
van. In consequence of this, the en-
envy seemed to turn more to the
southeast, and finally to the eastward.
"The Russians by this time had
formed an irregular column ahead,
their line of general advance being
parallel to our own. The Oslabya, the
van ship the left column, was evil
IDENTIFY badly damaged by our fire, and
at last caught fire to such an extent
as to force her out of the fighting line.
"At this time our armored cruiser
squadron had reached the rear of the
main fighting squadron and the con-
verging fire from all our forces was
directed with still greater precision,
as the range shortened. Fire also
broke out on board the enemy's flag
ship, the Kniaz SouvarOff, and the
ship following, the ImperatOr Alexan-
der Ill, and they were soon compelled
to leave the fighting line.
EnveIoped in Smoke.
The enemy's formation continued
disordered, and many of the ships in
the rear caught fire. The smoke arts
ing from these vessels was swept by
a sOutherly wind, and entirely envel
Oped the enemy, already wrapped in
fog. In consequence of this, our main
fighting squadron was obliged to sus
pend its fire for a while.
ION our side various ships sustain
ed damage. The Asama was struck
by three shells at the water line neal
the stern, her steering gear was dam
aged and she sprang leak. She had
to leave the fighting line temporarily
but, having Professionally effected re
pairs, shortly afterward re-entereG
the action.
'Such being the condition of the
fighting between the two main forces
victory or defeat was practically sci
tied at quarter to o'clock p. M
that is, in a period of about 81 min
utes.
Our main force, still forcing tn,
enemy to the south, fired desultoril!
at him whenever he was discovered
among the smoke and fog"
Continuing, the report tells of tn,
sinking of the Oslabya at 10 minutes
past p. M. of an attack by the Chi
baya and the destroyer flotillas at
p. m. on the disabled battleship Sou
varoff, causing her to list. and il
which two destroyers were struck b,
shells and escaped destruction
though in a critical condition.
Then the enemy turned to escap
southwark and were soon lost in tn
smoke and fog.
Pursuing, the Japanese main fighl
ing squadron sank the enemy's spec
ial service vessel Ural. and just befor
shutdown found six of the Russians
main force trying again to escape I
the northwest. These were engage
at once.
AS darkness fell. a battleship of tn
BOrOdinO type in the van burst int
flames and after an explosion sank
: The vessels of the armOred cruz
er squadron. pursuing the Russia
!. cruisers further north. saw anothe
battleship of the same type capsiz
and sink.
, AS soon as night fell. the Japanes
torpedo boats and destrOyers bega
their attack. supported by the detac
; ments under Vice Admirals Dewa an
. Uriu and Rear Admiral Togo tn
: Younger. and by the cruiser sQua
j. ron under Vice Admiral KAtoaka.