The Turks commenced a hot fire from the guns posted near the Wid at half-past seven, just as the thick morning mist lifted; several columns then crossed the river by the stone bridge and that constructed near Opanetz, and attacked the redoubt near Gornji-Netropol with such vigour that the 9th Russian Grenadiers were forced to retire, leaving eight guns in the redoubt. The next redoubt was also taken at the first rush, as the reserves had no time to reinforce the first line. The two Russian Grenadier Divisions, however, prevented any further progress of the attacking columns, though they were unable to regain possession of the lost redoubts. At ten o'clock the advance of the Roumanians against the enemy's right flank caused the Turks to form front to that direction as well. The struggle continued till noon, by which time the Turkish troops were completely surrounded, and their commander, wounded in the left leg by a splinter of a shell, then decided to surrender, as his force could neither advance on Sofia nor retire to Plevna. A white flag was hoisted on a cottage not far from the bridge over the Wid about 1 P.M., and a staff officer was despatched to find the commander of the nearest body of troops. A Roumanian officer, Colonel Cerchez, was the fortunate man to receive the message that Osman Pacha wished to see him. The Turkish Commander-in-Chief was having his wound dressed when Colonel Cerchez reached the cottage. He declined, however, to receive Osman's sword, as he had no authority to do so, and sent for General Ganetzki. On the arrival of the Russian General, Osman was forced to surrender unconditionally, as his situation was absolutely hopeless. No less than 40,000 men and seventy-seven guns thus fell into the hands of the victors.