[plug] /var/log/messages

[Adam Davin]

I have a Redhat linux 6.2 system and recently (on the weekend) had several 
power outs and as a result lost a motherboard. The insurance company want 
dates and times. Hence having linux I started to peruse the logs.
Unfortunately I have also found that when the logs are rotated they get 
compressed (for want of a better word, more like all the human readable 
stuff just gets taken out ie spaces).

Question: is there a way to restore these files (messages.1, .2 ... etc ) 
for easier reading

Any help greatly appreciated

Adam Davin