Battles at sea are necessarily fought away from the eyes of neutral observers. The active participants are unable to know of more than the immediate scene of the drama in which their own ship is engaged. Even the admiral of the fleet is unable to see all that occurs. Hence detailed, continuous accounts of such occurrences rarely, if ever, are written until years later the disconnected stories of here one, there another, can be assembled, corrected, dovetailed. Sufficient time has not elapsed since this remarkable battle to permit of such assembling of facts. But both Japanese and Russians have told of individual experiences. These have a graphic interest, coming hot from the scene of the great events which, perhaps, a more finished narrative might lack. First in interest, come the actual reports from the admiral himself. Few great fighters have been men of fewer words than this Togo. His reports, and, indeed, all of the Japanese reports, have been in marked contrast to the elaborate, verbose messages sent to the Emperor of Russia. The story of the battle, as told by Admiral Togo, follows: First report, received morning May 27: [Sidenote: Togo's Reports of the Battle] "Immediately upon the receipt of report that Russian squadron was in sight our combined squadron started for attack. Weather is fine to-day, but with heavy seas." Second report, received night May 27: "Combined squadron attacked Russian squadron to-day near Okinoshima (southeast of Tsushima) and defeated it, sinking at least four ships and inflicting heavy damage upon others. Damage to our ships is insignificant. Our destroyer and torpedo flotillas delivered attack after sunset." Third report, received Monday, May 29. "Main force of our combined squadron continued pursuit since the 27th, and attacked (28th) near Liancourt Rocks (northeast of Okinoshima) a squadron consisting of _Nicolai I_ (battleship), _Orel_ (battleship), _Senyanin_, _Apraxin_ and _Izumurud_. _Izumurud_ fled while remaining four vessels surrendered. No damage to our ships. According to statements of prisoners, vessels sunk in engagement May 27 were _Borodino_ (battleship), _Alexandre III_ (battleship), _Jemtchug_ and three other ships. Rear Admiral Nebogatoff and about 2,000 other Russians were taken prisoners." The following are damages suffered by enemy in addition to those given above since commencement of battle, as reported by commanders not under immediate command of Togo and by observation stations: SUNK--_Admiral Nakhimoff_, _Dmitri Donskoi_, _Svietlana_, _Admiral Usakoff_, _Kamchatka_, _Irutshush_ and three destroyers. _Vladimir Monomach_, foundered after capture. One special service ship, whole name unknown, and one destroyer captured. Russian losses definitely known so far may be classified as follows: