Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-06-01
STORY OF THE BATTLE.

Roiestyensky was to divide the japanese
strength at the outset, and his fast
cruisers were sent ahead TO scout the
Straits of 1sushima, The main Russian
fleet changed its coutse as il 10 return to
Beshee straits, but at 8 o'clock in the
morning of May q it steered through
the Straits of Korea in southeaslery
direction within the waters of Xxi Island.
"At this time the combined japanese
feet had left its prearranged base, aud a
squadron was detached to press the Rus
slams toward Xxi Island. The Russians
went full steam ahead, every ship steam
ing at its maximum practicable speed,
afiording a most impressive and majestic
sight. Meanwhile, the japanese were
lurking in the neighborhood. The Rus
slams passed through the strong current
running past Xxi Island and proceeded on
a due northerly course. The japanese
were ready, and their auxiliary feet to
the north headed of the enemy.
"Now the great battle began. Ad-
miral Togo's vessels maneuvered with
perfect precision, and soon the Russians
were enfladed, moi in the ordinary sense.
but in front and on both hanks. The
scene which the correspondent witnessed
was superbly terrible. The guns of near
ly fifty warships were being fired, aud
now and again crash was heard as the
reports conceded. For time the belli-
gerents gave shot for shot, and through
the conflict the fleets we're on the move,
but the Russians deviated from their
original course.
"With the hostile squadron on each
side and another ahead Rojestvensky was
practically defeated within few hours.
There was no possible direction for him
TO turn. He had fallen into the trap
which had been awaiting him ever since
he left Madagascar. Hesitation was
displayed 10 the tactics of his fleet, and
this proved forerunner of utter confu-
sion.
"The japanese knew instantly the
enemy was beaten and the concentrated
fire now became absolutely internal.
Every gun was trained. The Russians
we're caught in cul de sac. Long lines
OF smoke like sea clouds hoated across
the water, interspersed with flashes OF
artillery. At 2:l0 p. m. the lombard
ment reached its zenith.
"Between 8 and in the afternoon a
Russian cruiser of the Admiral Nakhm.
of class and the converted cruiser KANT
chatka foundefed. Previously their up
per work had been shattered into splint-
ers of wood, iron and steel. Then tho
Russian feet broke into utterdisor
der. The vessels 40 longer preserved
their formation. They went along in a
zigzag course, some pointed east and
others west.
"At that moment it became evident
that Rojest, ensky was completely defeat
ed. The japanese, ithjudgment which
in supreme moments amounts to lnspira-
ton, now advanced to closer quarters
The Russian ships under fire were rem
dered all the more terribly helpless by
the shortened range at which the Japan
ese were firing, and no longer existed
as a feet. The detached squadrOns CO.
ordnated in no direction and we're utter
" demoraliyed. Gradually they were
pressed toward their enemy coast Of the
Nagots province.
"The fighting continued until sunset.
The wind had now gone down, and it
was glorious night The Korean sea,
usually so rough, was now smooth and
Transparent, in the blue darkness of the
night. The ships stood out something
more than specters, something less than
fearful citadels, When darkness set ir
the Russians were still edging toward
the north, but the japanese, in horizon
tai lines, lay across the enemy's bows,
an effective barrier linked with guns.
eat s p. m. the japanese destrOyers
and torpedo boats went forward like a
great cloud of lOcusts The sea was
swept by the pale tracks of innumerable
searchlights. Th, work of the day was
over and the work of the night had be-
gun; the large japanese warships, which
had so we'll found the range ofthe enemy
in light of day, covered the attack. Be
meath the shells from the great cannon
the tiny vessels darted forth TO sting and
sink the enemy. There were scores and
scores of them. Rojestyensky nevel
dreamed that Japan had such flotilla
"Under the fire of the enemy, all o
whose guns were trained upon them, th'
little craft dashed on. One moment I
shot would strike the water, but not be
fore boat had darted toward the side
of the heavy warships.
"The nights work resulted in tn
sinking of the Emperor Al K x'nder III
the OsIybia, the Navarin, aud three gun
: boats. No rest was allowed the enemy
When Sunday dawned the japanese flee
came to still closer range, pressing 10
}, Russians to the northwest coast OF Nag
alta. All day long the battle ragged witt
: unabated fierceness, but the Russians ha
= no strategical positiOn in which TO one
|, effective resistance"
:. The London Daily Mails Toxic cor
u RESPONDENT says that the captain OF u
X Issian cruiser Admiral Nakhimoff, VIII
Is now prisoner, relates the following
story Of the battle between the Japanes
and Rucaiap aaata