"A few days ago I visited the Roumanian right wing opposite Oponetz, and ordered a heavy bombardment to be commenced against the redoubts. The Turks did not reply, which proves that their ammunition is running short; our outposts then advanced and occupied the nearest heights without resistance. We only lost two men. Plevna can only hold out for another fortnight at the most; we expect Osman to attempt to break through any day, which will be the sign that his supply of food has come to an end. The position held by Skobeleff is continually attacked by the Turks, especially at night; they hope to find there a means of escape. Skobeleff has been slightly wounded twice; it is a miracle that he has not met his death, for he is always in the thick of the bullets...." A Roumanian detachment, under Colonel Slaniceanu, after a hot engagement took the Turkish works at Rahova, with a loss of over 300 men, on November 20, and two Turkish guns and 140 ammunition carts fell into the hands of the victor. This success was followed up by the occupation of Tzibar Palanka and Rasgrad-Mahala, whence an attempt was to be made on Lom-Palanka. Another period of stormy weather followed December 5 and increased the already enormous difficulties of supply by carrying away nineteen pontoons of the bridge at Nikopoli. The roads became quite impassable; hundreds of horses succumbed to privation and overwork, and lay rotting by the roadside. The long expected attempt of Osman Pacha to break through the lines of investment took place on December 10. A report was received the night before that the Turks were bridging the Wid, followed at half-past eight the next morning by the news that the besieged were commencing a sally. On hearing that the Roumanians had occupied the second Grivitza redoubt, Prince Charles at once repaired to that vantage-point, and eventually to the heights commanding Bukowa. At half-past eleven Prince Charles reported to the Czar by telegraph: "The battle on the other side of the Wid has come to a standstill. I can clearly distinguish the three lines, the Turks being caught between two fires. The first prisoners are now on their way to me." The reports which subsequently reached Prince Charles showed that the course of the action was as follows: