Roumanian troops, however, proceeded at once to garrison Nikopoli, where the Roumanian flag was hoisted on July 29, and a message was sent to the Grand Duke demanding a separate base of operations in Bulgaria, and the undivided command of the Roumanian army as the only condition which Prince Charles could accept. A report was received at 4 P.M. on the 31st that the Russians had suffered a severe defeat at Plevna, and were retiring panic-stricken on Sistow; this was confirmed at 9 P.M. by the following despatch in cipher: "WEDNESDAY, _July 19-31, 1877_, 3.35 P.M. "PRINCE CHARLES OF ROUMANIA. "Headquarters of the Roumanian Army. "The Turks having assembled in great force at Plevna are crushing us. Beg you to join, make a demonstration, and, if possible, cross the Danube, as you wish. This demonstration between Jiul and Corabia is indispensable to facilitate my movements. "NICHOLAS." Prince Charles replied that the Fourth Division would hold Nikopoli, and that the Third would occupy the position quitted by the Fourth; the want of torpedoes would prevent the passage of the river, as a Turkish monitor was stationed near Rahova. The headquarters of the Prince were now transferred to Corabia, where the bridge was to be constructed, and a fresh _ordre de bataille_ drawn up in accordance with the altered conditions: The First Corps, consisting of three infantry brigades, one cavalry brigade, and six batteries was to form a general reserve. The Second Corps suffered no alteration. The Corps of Observation, under General Lupu, consisting of two Divisions with six batteries and two cavalry regiments, remained at Calafat. The Russian advance, in the meantime, had come to a complete standstill, whilst some forty battalions and 200 guns under General Sotow awaited the arrival of six further Divisions before attempting to drive Osman Pacha away from his entrenched position at Plevna. A prolonged series of despatches now passed between the Russian and Roumanian Headquarters with reference to the bridge over the Danube. If the latter was constructed at Nikopoli, the army would probably be merged in that of the Grand Duke, whilst at Magura it would secure independent action, at the same time cutting off Osman's communications with Sofia and the East. The impatience of the Grand Duke at the repeated delays led to the following despatch from Colonel Gherghel, attached to his Staff, on August 16: "By order of H.I.H. the Grand Duke Nicholas I have the honour to communicate to your Highness that H.I.H. desires the Third Roumanian Division to cross the Danube at once at Nikopoli to unite with the Fourth. H.I.H. will visit the two Divisions as soon as they are concentrated."