BK10CH22
CHAPTERXXII
Staggeringamidthecrush，Pierrelookedabouthim。
\"CountPeterKirilovich！Howdidyougethere？\"saidavoice。
Pierrelookedround。BorisDrubetskoy，brushinghiskneeswithhishandhehadprobablysoiledthemwhenhe，too，hadkneltbeforetheicon，cameuptohimsmiling。Boriswaselegantlydressed，withaslightlymartialtouchappropriatetoacampaign。HeworealongcoatandlikeKutuzovhadawhipslungacrosshisshoulder。
MeanwhileKutuzovhadreachedthevillageandseatedhimselfintheshadeofthenearesthouse，onabenchwhichoneCossackhadruntofetchandanotherhadhastilycoveredwitharug。Animmenseandbrilliantsuitesurroundedhim。
Theiconwascarriedfurther，accompaniedbythethrong。PierrestoppedsomethirtypacesfromKutuzov，talkingtoBoris。
Heexplainedhiswishtobepresentatthebattleandtoseetheposition。
\"Thisiswhatyoumustdo，\"saidBoris。\"Iwilldothehonorsofthecamptoyou。YouwillseeeverythingbestfromwhereCountBennigsenwillbe。Iaminattendanceonhim，youknow；I’llmentionittohim。Butifyouwanttorideroundtheposition，comealongwithus。
Wearejustgoingtotheleftflank。Thenwhenwegetback，dospendthenightwithmeandwe’llarrangeagameofcards。OfcourseyouknowDmitriSergeevich？Thosearehisquarters，\"andhepointedtothethirdhouseinthevillageofGorki。
\"ButIshouldliketoseetherightflank。Theysayit’sverystrong，\"saidPierre。\"IshouldliketostartfromtheMoskvaRiverandrideroundthewholeposition。\"
\"Well，youcandothatlater，butthechiefthingistheleftflank。\"
\"Yes，yes。ButwhereisPrinceBolkonski’sregiment？Canyoupointitouttome？\"
\"PrinceAndrew’s？WeshallpassitandI’lltakeyoutohim。\"
Whatabouttheleftflank？\"askedPierre\"Totellyouthetruth，betweenourselves，Godonlyknowswhatstateourleftflankisin，\"saidBorisconfidentiallyloweringhisvoice。
\"ItisnotatallwhatCountBennigsenintended。Hemeanttofortifythatknollquitedifferently，but……\"Borisshruggedhisshoulders，\"hisSereneHighnesswouldnothaveit，orsomeonepersuadedhim。
Yousee……\"butBorisdidnotfinish，foratthatmomentKaysarov，Kutuzov’sadjutant，cameuptoPierre。\"Ah，Kaysarov！\"saidBoris，addressinghimwithanunembarrassedsmile，\"Iwasjusttryingtoexplainourpositiontothecount。ItisamazinghowhisSereneHighnesscouldsotheintentionsoftheFrench！\"
\"Youmeantheleftflank？\"askedKaysarov。
\"Yes，exactly；theleftflankisnowextremelystrong。\"
ThoughKutuzovhaddismissedallunnecessarymenfromthestaff，Borishadcontrivedtoremainatheadquartersafterthechanges。HehadestablishedhimselfwithCountBennigsen，who，likeallonwhomBorishadbeeninattendance，consideredyoungPrinceDrubetskoyaninvaluableman。
Inthehighercommandthereweretwosharplydefinedparties：
Kutuzov’spartyandthatofBennigsen，thechiefofstaff。Borisbelongedtothelatterandnooneelse，whileshowingservilerespecttoKutuzov，couldsocreateanimpressionthattheoldfellowwasnotmuchgoodandthatBennigsenmanagedeverything。NowthedecisivemomentofbattlehadcomewhenKutuzovwouldbedestroyedandthepowerpasstoBennigsen，orevenifKutuzovwonthebattleitwouldbefeltthateverythingwasdonebyBennigsen。Inanycasemanygreatrewardswouldhavetobegivenfortomorrow’saction，andnewmenwouldcometothefront。SoBoriswasfullofnervousvivacityallday。
AfterKaysarov，otherswhomPierreknewcameuptohim，andhehadnottimetoreplytoallthequestionsaboutMoscowthatwereshowereduponhim，ortolistentoallthatwastoldhim。Thefacesallexpressedanimationandapprehension，butitseemedtoPierrethatthecauseoftheexcitementshowninsomeofthesefaceslaychieflyinquestionsofpersonalsuccess；hismind，however，wasoccupiedbythedifferentexpressionhesawonotherfaces—anexpressionthatspokenotofpersonalmattersbutoftheuniversalquestionsoflifeanddeath。KutuzovnoticedPierre’sfigureandthegroupgatheredroundhim。
\"Callhimtome，\"saidKutuzov。
AnadjutanttoldPierreofhisSereneHighness’wish，andPierrewenttowardKutuzov’sbench。Butamilitiamangottherebeforehim。ItwasDolokhov。
\"Howdidthatfellowgethere？\"askedPierre。
\"He’sacreaturethatwrigglesinanywhere！\"wastheanswer。\"Hehasbeendegraded，youknow。Nowhewantstobobupagain。He’sbeenproposingsomeschemeorotherandhascrawledintotheenemy’spicketlineatnight……He’sabravefellow。\"
PierretookoffhishatandbowedrespectfullytoKutuzov。
\"IconcludedthatifIreportedtoyourSereneHighnessyoumightsendmeawayorsaythatyouknewwhatIwasreporting，butthenI
shouldn’tloseanything……\"Dolokhovwassaying。
\"Yes，yes。\"
\"ButifIwereright，IshouldberenderingaservicetomyFatherlandforwhichIamreadytodie。\"
\"Yes，yes。\"
\"AndshouldyourSereneHighnessrequireamanwhowillnotsparehisskin，pleasethinkofme……PerhapsImayproveusefultoyourSereneHighness。\"
\"Yes……Yes……\"Kutuzovrepeated，hislaughingeyenarrowingmoreandmoreashelookedatPierre。
JustthenBoris，withhiscourtierlikeadroitness，steppeduptoPierre’ssidenearKutuzovandinamostnaturalmanner，withoutraisinghisvoice，saidtoPierre，asthoughcontinuinganinterruptedconversation：
\"Themilitiahaveputoncleanwhiteshirtstobereadytodie。Whatheroism，Count！\"
BorisevidentlysaidthistoPierreinordertobeoverheardbyhisSereneHighness。HeknewKutuzov’sattentionwouldbecaughtbythosewords，andsoitwas。
\"Whatareyousayingaboutthemilitia？\"heaskedBoris。
\"Preparingfortomorrow，yourSereneHighness—fordeath—theyhaveputoncleanshirts。\"
\"Ah……awonderful，amatchlesspeople！\"saidKutuzov；andheclosedhiseyesandswayedhishead。\"Amatchlesspeople！\"herepeatedwithasigh。
\"Soyouwanttosmellgunpowder？\"hesaidtoPierre。\"Yes，it’sapleasantsmell。Ihavethehonortobeoneofyourwife’sadorers。
Isshewell？Myquartersareatyourservice。\"
Andasoftenhappenswitholdpeople，Kutuzovbeganlookingaboutabsent—mindedlyasifforgettingallhewantedtosayordo。
Then，evidentlyrememberingwhathewanted，hebeckonedtoAndrewKaysarov，hisadjutant’sbrother。
\"Thoseverses……thoseversesofMarin’s……howdotheygo，eh？
ThosehewroteaboutGerakov：’Lecturesforthecorpsinditing’……
Recitethem，recitethem！\"saidhe，evidentlypreparingtolaugh。
Kaysarovrecited……Kutuzovsmilinglynoddedhisheadtotherhythmoftheverses。
WhenPierrehadleftKutuzov，Dolokhovcameuptohimandtookhishand。
\"Iamverygladtomeetyouhere，Count，\"hesaidaloud，regardlessofthepresenceofstrangersandinaparticularlyresoluteandsolemntone。\"OntheeveofadaywhenGodaloneknowswhoofusisfatedtosurvive，IamgladofthisopportunitytotellyouthatIregretthemisunderstandingsthatoccurredbetweenusandshouldwishyounottohaveanyillfeelingforme。Ibegyoutoforgiveme。\"
PierrelookedatDolokhovwithasmile，notknowingwhattosaytohim。WithtearsinhiseyesDolokhovembracedPierreandkissedhim。
Borissaidafewwordstohisgeneral，andCountBennigsenturnedtoPierreandproposedthatheshouldridewithhimalongtheline。
\"Itwillinterestyou，\"saidhe。
\"Yes，verymuch，\"repliedPierre。
HalfanhourlaterKutuzovleftforTatarinova，andBennigsenandhissuite，withPierreamongthem，setoutontheirridealongtheline。
BK10CH23
CHAPTERXXIII
FromGorki，Bennigsendescendedthehighroadtothebridgewhich，whentheyhadlookeditfromthehill，theofficerhadpointedoutasbeingthecenterofourpositionandwhererowsoffragrantnew—mownhaylaybytheriverside。TheyrodeacrossthatbridgeintothevillageofBorodinoandthenceturnedtotheleft，passinganenormousnumberoftroopsandguns，andcametoahighknollwheremilitiamenweredigging。Thiswastheredoubt，asyetunnamed，whichafterwardsbecameknownastheRaevskiRedoubt，ortheKnollBattery，butPierrepaidnospecialattentiontoit。HedidnotknowthatitwouldbecomemorememorabletohimthananyotherspotontheplainofBorodino。
TheythencrossedthehollowtoSemenovsk，wherethesoldiersweredraggingawaythelastlogsfromthehutsandbarns。Thentheyrodedownhillanduphill，acrossaryefieldtroddenandbeatendownasifbyhail，followingatrackfreshlymadebytheartilleryoverthefurrowsoftheplowedland，andreachedsomefleches*whichwerestillbeingdug。
*Akindofentrenchment。
AttheflechesBennigsenstoppedandbeganlookingattheShevardinoRedoubtopposite，whichhadbeenoursthedaybeforeandwhereseveralhorsemencouldbedescried。TheofficerssaidthateitherNapoleonorMuratwasthere，andtheyallgazedeagerlyatthislittlegroupofhorsemen。Pierrealsolookedatthem，tryingtoguesswhichofthescarcelydiscerniblefigureswasNapoleon。Atlastthosemountedmenrodeawayfromthemoundanddisappeared。
Bennigsenspoketoageneralwhoapproachedhim，andbeganexplainingthewholepositionofourtroops。Pierrelistenedtohim，strainingeachfacultytounderstandtheessentialpointsoftheimpendingbattle，butwasmortifiedtofeelthathismentalcapacitywasinadequateforthetask。Hecouldmakenothingofit。Bennigsenstoppedspeakingand，noticingthatPierrewaslistening，suddenlysaidtohim：
\"Idon’tthinkthisinterestsyou？\"
\"Onthecontraryit’sveryinteresting！\"repliedPierrenotquitetruthfully。
Fromtheflechestheyrodestillfarthertotheleft，alongaroadwindingthroughathick，low—growingbirchwood。Inthemiddleofthewoodabrownharewithwhitefeetsprangoutand，scaredbythetrampofthemanyhorses，grewsoconfusedthatitleapedalongtheroadinfrontofthemforsometime，arousinggeneralattentionandlaughter，andonlywhenseveralvoicesshoutedatitdiditdarttoonesideanddisappearinthethicket。AftergoingthroughthewoodforaboutamileandahalftheycameoutonagladewheretroopsofTuchkov’scorpswerestationedtodefendtheleftflank。
Here，attheextremeleftflank，Bennigsentalkedagreatdealandwithmuchheat，and，asitseemedtoPierre，gaveordersofgreatmilitaryimportance。InfrontofTuchkov’stroopswassomehighgroundnotoccupiedbytroops。Bennigsenloudlycriticizedthismistake，sayingthatitwasmadnesstoleaveaheightwhichcommandedthecountryaroundunoccupiedandtoplacetroopsbelowit。Someofthegeneralsexpressedthesameopinion。Oneinparticulardeclaredwithmartialheatthattheywereputtheretobeslaughtered。Bennigsenonhisownauthorityorderedthetroopstooccupythehighground。
ThisdispositionontheleftflankincreasedPierre’sdoubtofhisowncapacitytounderstandmilitarymatters。ListeningtoBennigsenandthegeneralscriticizingthepositionofthetroopsbehindthehill，hequiteunderstoodthemandsharedtheiropinion，butforthatveryreasonhecouldnotunderstandhowthemanwhoputthemtherebehindthehillcouldhavemadesogrossandpalpableablunder。
Pierredidnotknowthatthesetroopswerenot，asBennigsensupposed，puttheretodefendtheposition，butwereinaconcealedpositionasanambush，thattheyshouldnotbeseenandmightbeabletostrikeanapproachingenemyunexpectedly。Bennigsendidnotknowthisandmovedthetroopsforwardaccordingtohisownideaswithoutmentioningthemattertothecommanderinchief。
BK10CH24
CHAPTERXXIV
OnthatbrighteveningofAugust25，PrinceAndrewlayleaningonhiselbowinabroken—downshedinthevillageofKnyazkovoatthefurtherendofhisregiment’sencampment。Throughagapinthebrokenwallhecouldsee，besidethewoodenfence，arowofthirtyyear—oldbircheswiththeirlowerbranchesloppedoff，afieldonwhichshocksofoatswerestanding，andsomebushesnearwhichrosethesmokeofcampfires—thesoldiers’kitchens。
Narrowandburdensomeanduselesstoanyoneashislifenowseemedtohim，PrinceAndrewontheeveofbattlefeltagitatedandirritableashehaddonesevenyearsbeforeatAusterlitz。
Hehadreceivedandgiventheordersfornextday’sbattleandhadnothingmoretodo。Buthisthoughts—thesimplest，clearest，andthereforemostterriblethoughts—wouldgivehimnopeace。Heknewthattomorrow’sbattlewouldbethemostterribleofallhehadtakenpartin，andforthefirsttimeinhislifethepossibilityofdeathpresenteditselftohim—notinrelationtoanyworldlymatterorwithreferencetoitseffectonothers，butsimplyinrelationtohimself，tohisownsoul—vividly，plainly，terribly，andalmostasacertainty。Andfromtheheightofthisperceptionallthathadpreviouslytormentedandpreoccupiedhimsuddenlybecameilluminedbyacoldwhitelightwithoutshadows，withoutperspective，withoutdistinctionofoutline。Alllifeappearedtohimlikemagic—lanternpicturesatwhichhehadlongbeengazingbyartificiallightthroughaglass。Nowhesuddenlysawthosebadlydaubedpicturesincleardaylightandwithoutaglass。\"Yes，yes！Theretheyare，thosefalseimagesthatagitated，enraptured，andtormentedme，\"saidhetohimself，passinginreviewtheprincipalpicturesofthemagiclanternoflifeandregardingthemnowinthecoldwhitedaylightofhisclearperceptionofdeath。\"Theretheyare，thoserudelypaintedfiguresthatonceseemedsplendidandmysterious。Glory，thegoodofsociety，loveofawoman，theFatherlanditself—howimportantthesepicturesappearedtome，withwhatprofoundmeaningtheyseemedtobefilled！Anditisallsosimple，pale，andcrudeinthecoldwhitelightofthismorningwhichIfeelisdawningforme。\"Thethreegreatsorrowsofhislifeheldhisattentioninparticular：hisloveforawoman，hisfather’sdeath，andtheFrenchinvasionwhichhadoverrunhalfRussia。\"Love……thatlittlegirlwhoseemedtomebrimmingoverwithmysticforces！Yes，indeed，Ilovedher。Imaderomanticplansofloveandhappinesswithher！Oh，whataboyI
was！\"hesaidaloudbitterly。\"Ahme！Ibelievedinsomeideallovewhichwastokeepherfaithfultomeforthewholeyearofmyabsence！
Likethegentledoveinthefableshewastopineapartfromme……
Butitwasmuchsimplerreally……Itwasallverysimpleandhorrible。\"
\"WhenmyfatherbuiltBaldHillshethoughttheplacewashis：hisland，hisair，hispeasants。ButNapoleoncameandswepthimaside，unconsciousofhisexistence，ashemightbrushachipfromhispath，andhisBaldHillsandhiswholelifefelltopieces。PrincessMarysaysitisatrialsentfromabove。Whatisthetrialfor，whenheisnothereandwillneverreturn？Heisnothere！Forwhomthenisthetrialintended？TheFatherland，thedestructionofMoscow！AndtomorrowIshallbekilled，perhapsnotevenbyaFrenchmanbutbyoneofourownmen，byasoldierdischargingamusketclosetomyearasoneofthemdidyesterday，andtheFrenchwillcomeandtakemebyheadandheelsandflingmeintoaholethatImaynotstinkundertheirnoses，andnewconditionsoflifewillarise，whichwillseemquiteordinarytoothersandaboutwhichIshallknownothing。Ishallnotexist……\"
Helookedattherowofbirchesshininginthesunshine，withtheirmotionlessgreenandyellowfoliageandwhitebark。\"Todie……
tobekilledtomorrow……ThatIshouldnotexist……Thatallthisshouldstillbe，butnome……\"
Andthebircheswiththeirlightandshade，thecurlyclouds，thesmokeofthecampfires，andallthatwasaroundhimchangedandseemedterribleandmenacing。Acoldshiverrandownhisspine。Herosequickly，wentoutoftheshed，andbegantowalkabout。
Afterhehadreturned，voiceswereheardoutsidetheshed。\"Who’sthat？\"hecried。
Thered—nosedCaptainTimokhin，formerlyDolokhov’ssquadroncommander，butnowfromlackofofficersabattalioncommander，shylyenteredtheshedfollowedbyanadjutantandtheregimentalpaymaster。
PrinceAndrewrosehastily，listenedtothebusinesstheyhadcomeabout，gavethemsomefurtherinstructions，andwasabouttodismissthemwhenheheardafamiliar，lisping，voicebehindtheshed。
\"Deviltakeit！\"saidthevoiceofamanstumblingoversomething。
PrinceAndrewlookedoutoftheshedandsawPierre，whohadtrippedoverapoleonthegroundandhadnearlyfallen，cominghisway。ItwasunpleasanttoPrinceAndrewtomeetpeopleofhisownsetingeneral，andPierreespecially，forheremindedhimofallthepainfulmomentsofhislastvisittoMoscow。
\"You？Whatasurprise！\"saidhe。\"Whatbringsyouhere？Thisisunexpected！\"
Ashesaidthishiseyesandfaceexpressedmorethancoldness—theyexpressedhostility，whichPierrenoticedatonce。Hehadapproachedtheshedfullofanimation，butonseeingPrinceAndrew’sfacehefeltconstrainedandillatease。
\"Ihavecome……simply……youknow……come……itinterestsme，\"saidPierre，whohadsooftenthatdaysenselesslyrepeatedthatword\"interesting。\"\"Iwishtoseethebattle。\"
\"Ohyes，andwhatdotheMasonicbrotherssayaboutwar？Howwouldtheystopit？\"saidPrinceAndrewsarcastically。\"Well，andhow’sMoscow？Andmypeople？HavetheyreachedMoscowatlast？\"heaskedseriously。
\"Yes，theyhave。JulieDrubetskayatoldmeso。Iwenttoseethem，butmissedthem。TheyhavegonetoyourestatenearMoscow。\"
BK10CH25
CHAPTERXXV
Theofficerswereabouttotakeleave，butPrinceAndrew，apparentlyreluctanttobeleftalonewithhisfriend，askedthemtostayandhavetea。Seatswerebroughtinandsowasthetea。TheofficersgazedwithsurpriseatPierre’shugestoutfigureandlistenedtohistalkofMoscowandthepositionofourarmy，roundwhichhehadridden。
PrinceAndrewremainedsilent，andhisexpressionwassoforbiddingthatPierreaddressedhisremarkschieflytothegood—naturedbattalioncommander。
\"Soyouunderstandthewholepositionofourtroops？\"PrinceAndrewinterruptedhim。
\"Yes—thatis，howdoyoumean？\"saidPierre。\"NotbeingamilitarymanIcan’tsayIhaveunderstooditfully，butI
understandthegeneralposition。\"
\"Well，then，youknowmorethananyoneelse，beitwhoitmay，\"saidPrinceAndrew。
\"Oh！\"saidPierre，lookingoverhisspectaclesinperplexityatPrinceAndrew。\"Well，andwhatdothinkofKutuzov’sappointment？\"
heasked。
\"Iwasverygladofhisappointment，that’sallIknow，\"repliedPrinceAndrew。
\"AndtellmeyouropinionofBarclaydeTolly。InMoscowtheyaresayingheavenknowswhatabouthim……Whatdoyouthinkofhim？\"
\"Askthem，\"repliedPrinceAndrew，indicatingtheofficers。
PierrelookedatTimokhinwiththecondescendinglyinterrogativesmilewithwhicheverybodyinvoluntarilyaddressedthatofficer。
\"Weseelightagain，sincehisSerenityhasbeenappointed，yourexcellency，\"saidTimokhintimidly，andcontinuallyturningtoglanceathiscolonel。
\"Whyso？\"askedPierre。
\"Well，tomentiononlyfirewoodandfodder，letmeinformyou。
Why，whenwewereretreatingfromSventsyaniwedarenottouchastickorawispofhayoranything。Yousee，weweregoingaway，sohewouldgetitall；wasn’titso，yourexcellency？\"andagainTimokhinturnedtotheprince。\"Butwedaren’t。Inourregimenttwoofficerswerecourt—martialedforthatkindofthing。ButwhenhisSerenitytookcommandeverythingbecamestraightforward。Nowweseelight……\"
\"Thenwhywasitforbidden？\"
Timokhinlookedaboutinconfusion，notknowingwhatorhowtoanswersuchaquestion。PierreputthesamequestiontoPrinceAndrew。
\"Why，soasnottolaywastethecountrywewereabandoningtotheenemy，\"saidPrinceAndrewwithvenomousirony。\"Itisverysound：onecan’tpermitthelandtobepillagedandaccustomthetroopstomarauding。AtSmolensktoohejudgedcorrectlythattheFrenchmightoutflankus，astheyhadlargerforces。Buthecouldnotunderstandthis，\"criedPrinceAndrewinashrillvoicethatseemedtoescapehiminvoluntarily：\"hecouldnotunderstandthatthere，forthefirsttime，wewerefightingforRussiansoil，andthattherewasaspiritinthemensuchasIhadneverseenbefore，thatwehadheldtheFrenchfortwodays，andthatthatsuccesshadincreasedourstrengthtenfold。Heorderedustoretreat，andalloureffortsandlosseswentfornothing。Hehadnothoughtofbetrayingus，hetriedtodothebesthecould，hethoughtouteverything，andthatiswhyheisunsuitable。Heisunsuitablenow，justbecauseheplansouteverythingverythoroughlyandaccuratelyaseveryGermanhasto。
HowcanIexplain？……Well，sayyourfatherhasaGermanvalet，andheisasplendidvaletandsatisfiesyourfather’srequirementsbetterthanyoucould，thenit’sallrighttolethimserve。Butifyourfatherismortallysickyou’llsendthevaletawayandattendtoyourfatherwithyourownunpracticed，awkwardhands，andwillsoothehimbetterthanaskilledmanwhoisastrangercould。SoithasbeenwithBarclay。WhileRussiawaswell，aforeignercouldserveherandbeasplendidminister；butassoonassheisindangersheneedsoneofherownkin。ButinyourClubtheyhavebeenmakinghimoutatraitor！Theyslanderhimasatraitor，andtheonlyresultwillbethatafterwards，ashamedoftheirfalseaccusations，theywillmakehimoutaheroorageniusinsteadofatraitor，andthatwillbestillmoreunjust。HeisanhonestandverypunctiliousGerman。\"
\"Andtheysayhe’saskillfulcommander，\"rejoinedPierre。
\"Idon’tunderstandwhatismeantby’askillfulcommander，’\"
repliedPrinceAndrewironically。
\"Askillfulcommander？\"repliedPierre。\"Why，onewhoforeseesallcontingencies……andforeseestheadversary’sintentions。\"
\"Butthat’simpossible，\"saidPrinceAndrewasifitwereamattersettledlongago。
Pierrelookedathiminsurprise。
\"Andyettheysaythatwarislikeagameofchess？\"heremarked。
\"Yes，\"repliedPrinceAndrew，\"butwiththislittledifference，thatinchessyoumaythinkovereachmoveaslongasyoupleaseandarenotlimitedfortime，andwiththisdifferencetoo，thataknightisalwaysstrongerthanapawn，andtwopawnsarealwaysstrongerthanone，whileinwarabattalionissometimesstrongerthanadivisionandsometimesweakerthanacompany。Therelativestrengthofbodiesoftroopscanneverbeknowntoanyone。Believeme，\"hewenton，\"ifthingsdependedonarrangementsmadebythestaff，Ishouldbetheremakingarrangements，butinsteadofthatIhavethehonortoservehereintheregimentwiththesegentlemen，andIconsiderthatonustomorrow’sbattlewilldependandnotonthoseothers……Successneverdepends，andneverwilldepend，onposition，orequipment，orevenonnumbers，andleastofallonposition。\"
\"Butonwhatthen？\"
\"Onthefeelingthatisinmeandinhim，\"hepointedtoTimokhin，\"andineachsoldier。\"
PrinceAndrewglancedatTimokhin，wholookedathiscommanderinalarmandbewilderment。IncontrasttohisformerreticenttaciturnityPrinceAndrewnowseemedexcited。Hecouldapparentlynotrefrainfromexpressingthethoughtsthathadsuddenlyoccurredtohim。
\"Abattleiswonbythosewhofirmlyresolvetowinit！WhydidwelosethebattleatAusterlitz？TheFrenchlosseswerealmostequaltoours，butveryearlywesaidtoourselvesthatwewerelosingthebattle，andwedidloseit。Andwesaidsobecausewehadnothingtofightforthere，wewantedtogetawayfromthebattlefieldassoonaswecould。’We’velost，soletusrun，’andweran。Ifwehadnotsaidthattilltheevening，heavenknowswhatmightnothavehappened。
Buttomorrowweshan’tsayit！Youtalkaboutourposition，theleftflankweakandtherightflanktooextended，\"hewenton。\"That’sallnonsense，there’snothingofthekind。Butwhatawaitsustomorrow？Ahundredmillionmostdiversechanceswhichwillbedecidedontheinstantbythefactthatourmenortheirsrunordonotrun，andthatthismanorthatmaniskilled，butallthatisbeingdoneatpresentisonlyplay。Thefactisthatthosemenwithwhomyouhaveriddenroundthepositionnotonlydonothelpmatters，buthinder。
Theyareonlyconcernedwiththeirownpettyinterests。\"
\"Atsuchamoment？\"saidPierrereproachfully。
\"Atsuchamoment！\"PrinceAndrewrepeated。\"Tothemitisonlyamomentaffordingopportunitiestounderminearivalandobtainanextracrossorribbon。Formetomorrowmeansthis：aRussianarmyofahundredthousandandaFrencharmyofahundredthousandhavemettofight，andthethingisthatthesetwohundredthousandmenwillfightandthesidethatfightsmorefiercelyandsparesitselfleastwillwin。AndifyoulikeIwilltellyouthatwhateverhappensandwhatevermuddlesthoseatthetopmaymake，weshallwintomorrow’sbattle。Tomorrow，happenwhatmay，weshallwin！\"
\"Therenow，yourexcellency！That’sthetruth，therealtruth，\"saidTimokhin。\"Whowouldsparehimselfnow？Thesoldiersinmybattalion，believeme，wouldn’tdrinktheirvodka！’It’snotthedayforthat！’theysay。\"
Allweresilent。Theofficersrose。PrinceAndrewwentoutoftheshedwiththem，givingfinalorderstotheadjutant。AftertheyhadgonePierreapproachedPrinceAndrewandwasabouttostartaconversationwhentheyheardtheclatterofthreehorses’hoofsontheroadnotfarfromtheshed，andlookinginthatdirectionPrinceAndrewrecognizedWolzogenandClausewitzaccompaniedbyaCossack。
Theyrodeclosebycontinuingtoconverse，andPrinceAndrewinvoluntarilyheardthesewords：
\"DerKriegmussinRaumverlegtwerden。DerAnsichtkannichnichtgenugPreisgeben，\"*saidoneofthem。
*\"Thewarmustbeextendedwidely。Icannotsufficientlycommendthatview。\"
\"Oh，ja，\"saidtheother，\"derZweckistnurdenFeindzuschwachen，sokannmangewissnichtdenVerlustderPrivat—PersoneninAchtungnehmen。\"*
*\"Oh，yes，theonlyaimistoweakentheenemy，soofcourseonecannottakeintoaccountthelossofprivateindividuals。\"
\"Oh，no，\"agreedtheother。
\"Extendwidely！\"saidPrinceAndrewwithanangrysnort，whentheyhadriddenpast。\"Inthat’extend’weremyfather，son，andsister，atBaldHills。That’sallthesametohim！That’swhatIwassayingtoyou—thoseGermangentlemenwon’twinthebattletomorrowbutwillonlymakeallthemesstheycan，becausetheyhavenothingintheirGermanheadsbuttheoriesnotworthanemptyeggshellandhaven’tintheirheartstheonethingneededtomorrow—thatwhichTimokhinhas。
TheyhaveyieldedupallEuropetohim，andhavenowcometoteachus。
Fineteachers！\"andagainhisvoicegrewshrill。
\"Soyouthinkweshallwintomorrow’sbattle？\"askedPierre。
\"Yes，yes，\"answeredPrinceAndrewabsently。\"OnethingIwoulddoifIhadthepower，\"hebeganagain，\"Iwouldnottakeprisoners。
Whytakeprisoners？It’schivalry！TheFrenchhavedestroyedmyhomeandareontheirwaytodestroyMoscow，theyhaveoutragedandareoutragingmeeverymoment。Theyaremyenemies。Inmyopiniontheyareallcriminals。AndsothinksTimokhinandthewholearmy。Theyshouldbeexecuted！Sincetheyaremyfoestheycannotbemyfriends，whatevermayhavebeensaidatTilsit。\"
\"Yes，yes，\"mutteredPierre，lookingwithshiningeyesatPrinceAndrew。\"Iquiteagreewithyou！\"
ThequestionthathadperturbedPierreontheMozhayskhillandallthatdaynowseemedtohimquiteclearandcompletelysolved。Henowunderstoodthewholemeaningandimportanceofthiswarandoftheimpendingbattle。Allhehadseenthatday，allthesignificantandsternexpressionsonthefaceshehadseeninpassing，werelitupforhimbyanewlight。Heunderstoodthatlatentheatastheysayinphysicsofpatriotismwhichwaspresentinallthesemenhehadseen，andthisexplainedtohimwhytheyallpreparedfordeathcalmly，andasitwerelightheartedly。
\"Nottakeprisoners，\"PrinceAndrewcontinued：\"Thatbyitselfwouldquitechangethewholewarandmakeitlesscruel。Asitiswehaveplayedatwar—that’swhat’svile！Weplayatmagnanimityandallthatstuff。Suchmagnanimityandsensibilityarelikethemagnanimityandsensibilityofaladywhofaintswhensheseesacalfbeingkilled：
sheissokind—heartedthatshecan’tlookatblood，butenjoyseatingthecalfservedupwithsauce。Theytalktousoftherulesofwar，ofchivalry，offlagsoftruce，ofmercytotheunfortunateandsoon。
It’sallrubbish！Isawchivalryandflagsoftrucein1805；theyhumbuggedusandwehumbuggedthem。Theyplunderotherpeople’shouses，issuefalsepapermoney，andworstofalltheykillmychildrenandmyfather，andthentalkofrulesofwarandmagnanimitytofoes！Takenoprisoners，butkillandbekilled！HewhohascometothisasIhavethroughthesamesufferings……\"
PrinceAndrew，whohadthoughtitwasallthesametohimwhetherornotMoscowwastakenasSmolenskhadbeen，wassuddenlycheckedinhisspeechbyanunexpectedcrampinhisthroat。Hepacedupanddownafewtimesinsilence，buthiseyesglitteredfeverishlyandhislipsquiveredashebeganspeaking。
\"Iftherewasnoneofthismagnanimityinwar，weshouldgotowaronlywhenitwasworthwhilegoingtocertaindeath，asnow。ThentherewouldnotbewarbecausePaulIvanovichhadoffendedMichaelIvanovich。Andwhentherewasawar，likethisone，itwouldbewar！
Andthenthedeterminationofthetroopswouldbequitedifferent。
ThenalltheseWestphaliansandHessianswhomNapoleonisleadingwouldnotfollowhimintoRussia，andweshouldnotgotofightinAustriaandPrussiawithoutknowingwhy。Warisnotcourtesybutthemosthorriblethinginlife；andweoughttounderstandthatandnotplayatwar。Weoughttoacceptthisterriblenecessitysternlyandseriously。Itallliesinthat：getridoffalsehoodandletwarbewarandnotagame。Asitisnow，waristhefavoritepastimeoftheidleandfrivolous。Themilitarycallingisthemosthighlyhonored。
\"Butwhatiswar？Whatisneededforsuccessinwarfare？Whatarethehabitsofthemilitary？Theaimofwarismurder；themethodsofwararespying，treachery，andtheirencouragement，theruinofacountry’sinhabitants，robbingthemorstealingtoprovisionthearmy，andfraudandfalsehoodtermedmilitarycraft。Thehabitsofthemilitaryclassaretheabsenceoffreedom，thatis，discipline，idleness，ignorance，cruelty，debauchery，anddrunkenness。Andinspiteofallthisitisthehighestclass，respectedbyeveryone。
Allthekings，excepttheChinese，wearmilitaryuniforms，andhewhokillsmostpeoplereceivesthehighestrewards。
\"Theymeet，asweshallmeettomorrow，tomurderoneanother；theykillandmaimtensofthousands，andthenhavethanksgivingservicesforhavingkilledsomanypeopletheyevenexaggeratethenumber，andtheyannounceavictory，supposingthatthemorepeopletheyhavekilledthegreatertheirachievement。HowdoesGodabovelookatthemandhearthem？\"exclaimedPrinceAndrewinashrill，piercingvoice。\"Ah，myfriend，ithasoflatebecomehardformetolive。IseethatIhavebeguntounderstandtoomuch。Anditdoesn’tdoformantotasteofthetreeofknowledgeofgoodandevil……
Ah，well，it’snotforlong！\"headded。
\"However，you’resleepy，andit’stimeformetosleep。GobacktoGorki！\"saidPrinceAndrewsuddenly。
\"Ohno！\"Pierrereplied，lookingatPrinceAndrewwithfrightened，compassionateeyes。
\"Go，go！Beforeabattleonemusthaveone’ssleepout，\"repeatedPrinceAndrew。
HecamequicklyuptoPierreandembracedandkissedhim。
\"Good—by，beoff！\"heshouted。\"Whetherwemeetagainornot……\"
andturningawayhurriedlyheenteredtheshed。
Itwasalreadydark，andPierrecouldnotmakeoutwhethertheexpressionofPrinceAndrew’sfacewasangryortender。
Forsometimehestoodinsilenceconsideringwhetherheshouldfollowhimorgoaway。\"No，hedoesnotwantit！\"Pierreconcluded。
\"AndIknowthatthisisourlastmeeting！\"HesigheddeeplyandrodebacktoGorki。
Onre—enteringtheshedPrinceAndrewlaydownonarug，buthecouldnotsleep。
Heclosedhiseyes。Onepicturesucceededanotherinhisimagination。Ononeofthemhedweltlongandjoyfully。HevividlyrecalledaneveninginPetersburg。Natashawithanimatedandexcitedfacewastellinghimhowshehadgonetolookformushroomstheprevioussummerandhadlostherwayinthebigforest。Sheincoherentlydescribedthedepthsoftheforest，herfeelings，andatalkwithabeekeepershemet，andconstantlyinterruptedherstorytosay：\"No，Ican’t！I’mnottellingitright；no，youdon’tunderstand，\"thoughheencouragedherbysayingthathedidunderstand，andhereallyhadunderstoodallshewantedtosay。ButNatashawasnotsatisfiedwithherownwords：shefeltthattheydidnotconveythepassionatelypoeticfeelingshehadexperiencedthatdayandwishedtoconvey。\"Hewassuchadelightfuloldman，anditwassodarkintheforest……andhehadsuchkind……No，Ican’tdescribeit，\"shehadsaid，flushedandexcited。PrinceAndrewsmilednowthesamehappysmileasthenwhenhehadlookedintohereyes。\"Iunderstoodher，\"hethought。\"Inotonlyunderstoodher，butitwasjustthatinner，spiritualforce，thatsincerity，thatfranknessofsoul—thatverysoulofherswhichseemedtobefetteredbyherbody—itwasthatsoulIlovedinher……lovedsostronglyandhappily……\"andsuddenlyherememberedhowhislovehadended。\"Hedidnotneedanythingofthatkind。Heneithersawnorunderstoodanythingofthesort。Heonlysawinheraprettyandfreshyounggirl，withwhomhedidnotdeigntounitehisfate。AndI？……
andheisstillaliveandgay！\"
PrinceAndrewjumpedupasifsomeonehadburnedhim，andagainbeganpacingupanddowninfrontoftheshed。
BK10CH26
CHAPTERXXVI
OnAugust25，theeveofthebattleofBorodino，M。deBeausset，prefectoftheFrenchEmperor’spalace，arrivedatNapoleon’squartersatValuevowithColonelFabvier，theformerfromParisandthelatterfromMadrid。
Donninghiscourtuniform，M。deBeaussetorderedaboxhehadbroughtfortheEmperortobecarriedbeforehimandenteredthefirstcompartmentofNapoleon’stent，wherehebeganopeningtheboxwhileconversingwithNapoleon’saides—de—campwhosurroundedhim。
Fabvier，notenteringthetent，remainedattheentrancetalkingtosomegeneralsofhisacquaintance。
TheEmperorNapoleonhadnotyetlefthisbedroomandwasfinishinghistoilet。Slightlysnortingandgrunting，hepresentednowhisbackandnowhisplumphairychesttothebrushwithwhichhisvaletwasrubbinghimdown。Anothervalet，withhisfingeroverthemouthofabottle，wassprinklingEaudeCologneontheEmperor’spamperedbodywithanexpressionwhichseemedtosaythathealoneknewwhereandhowmuchEaudeCologneshouldbesprinkled。Napoleon’sshorthairwaswetandmattedontheforehead，buthisface，thoughpuffyandyellow，expressedphysicalsatisfaction。\"Goon，harder，goon！\"hemutteredtothevaletwhowasrubbinghim，slightlytwitchingandgrunting。Anaide—de—camp，whohadenteredthebedroomtoreporttotheEmperorthenumberofprisonerstakeninyesterday’saction，wasstandingbythedoorafterdeliveringhismessage，awaitingpermissiontowithdraw。Napoleon，frowning，lookedathimfromunderhisbrows。
\"Noprisoners！\"saidhe，repeatingtheaide—de—camp’swords。\"Theyareforcingustoexterminatethem。SomuchtheworsefortheRussianarmy……Goon……harder，harder！\"hemuttered，hunchinghisbackandpresentinghisfatshoulders。
\"Allright。LetMonsieurdeBeaussetenter，andFabviertoo，\"hesaid，noddingtotheaide—de—camp。
\"Yes，sire，\"andtheaide—de—campdisappearedthroughthedoorofthetent。
TwovaletsrapidlydressedHisMajesty，andwearingtheblueuniformoftheGuardshewentwithfirmquickstepstothereceptionroom。
DeBeausset’shandsmeanwhilewerebusilyengagedarrangingthepresenthehadbroughtfromtheEmpress，ontwochairsdirectlyinfrontoftheentrance。ButNapoleonhaddressedandcomeoutwithsuchunexpectedrapiditythathehadnottimetofinisharrangingthesurprise。
Napoleonnoticedatoncewhattheywereaboutandguessedthattheywerenotready。Hedidnotwishtodeprivethemofthepleasureofgivinghimasurprise，sohepretendednottoseedeBeaussetandcalledFabviertohim，listeningsilentlyandwithasternfrowntowhatFabviertoldhimoftheheroismanddevotionofhistroopsfightingatSalamanca，attheotherendofEurope，withbutonethought—tobeworthyoftheirEmperor—andbutonefear—tofailtopleasehim。Theresultofthatbattlehadbeendeplorable。NapoleonmadeironicremarksduringFabvier’saccount，asifhehadnotexpectedthatmatterscouldgootherwiseinhisabsence。
\"ImustmakeupforthatinMoscow，\"saidNapoleon。\"I’llseeyoulater，\"headded，andsummoneddeBeausset，whobythattimehadpreparedthesurprise，havingplacedsomethingonthechairsandcovereditwithacloth。
DeBeaussetbowedlow，withthatcourtlyFrenchbowwhichonlytheoldretainersoftheBourbonsknewhowtomake，andapproachedhim，presentinganenvelope。
Napoleonturnedtohimgailyandpulledhisear。
\"Youhavehurriedhere。Iamveryglad。Well，whatisParissaying？\"
heasked，suddenlychanginghisformersternexpressionforamostcordialtone。
\"Sire，allParisregretsyourabsence，\"replieddeBeaussetaswasproper。
ButthoughNapoleonknewthatdeBeaussethadtosaysomethingofthiskind，andthoughinhislucidmomentsheknewitwasuntrue，hewaspleasedtohearitfromhim。Againhehonoredhimbytouchinghisear。
\"Iamverysorrytohavemadeyoutravelsofar，\"saidhe。
\"Sire，IexpectednothinglessthantofindyouatthegatesofMoscow，\"replieddeBeausset。
Napoleonsmiledand，liftinghisheadabsentmindedly，glancedtotheright。Anaide—de—campapproachedwithglidingstepsandofferedhimagoldsnuffbox，whichhetook。
\"Yes，ithashappenedluckilyforyou，\"hesaid，raisingtheopensnuffboxtohisnose。\"Youarefondoftravel，andinthreedaysyouwillseeMoscow。YousurelydidnotexpecttoseethatAsiaticcapital。Youwillhaveapleasantjourney。\"
DeBeaussetbowedgratefullyatthisregardforhistastefortravelofwhichhehadnottillthenbeenaware。
\"Ha，what’sthis？\"askedNapoleon，noticingthatallthecourtierswerelookingatsomethingconcealedunderacloth。
WithcourtlyadroitnessdeBeaussethalfturnedandwithoutturninghisbacktotheEmperorretiredtwosteps，twitchingofftheclothatthesametime，andsaid：
\"ApresenttoYourMajestyfromtheEmpress。\"
Itwasaportrait，paintedinbrightcolorsbyGerard，ofthesonbornetoNapoleonbythedaughteroftheEmperorofAustria，theboywhomforsomereasoneveryonecalled\"TheKingofRome。\"
Averyprettycurly—headedboywithalookoftheChristintheSistineMadonnawasdepictedplayingatstickandball。Theballrepresentedtheterrestrialglobeandthestickinhisotherhandascepter。
Thoughitwasnotclearwhattheartistmeanttoexpressbydepictingtheso—calledKingofRomespikingtheearthwithastick，theallegoryapparentlyseemedtoNapoleon，asithaddonetoallwhohadseenitinParis，quiteclearandverypleasing。
\"TheKingofRome！\"hesaid，pointingtotheportraitwithagracefulgesture。\"Admirable！\"
WiththenaturalcapacityofanItalianforchangingtheexpressionofhisfaceatwill，hedrewnearertotheportraitandassumedalookofpensivetenderness。Hefeltthatwhathenowsaidanddidwouldbehistorical，anditseemedtohimthatitwouldnowbebestforhim—whosegrandeurenabledhissontoplaystickandballwiththeterrestrialglobe—toshow，incontrasttothatgrandeur，thesimplestpaternaltenderness。Hiseyesgrewdim，hemovedforward，glancedroundatachairwhichseemedtoplaceitselfunderhim，andsatdownonitbeforetheportrait。Atasinglegesturefromhimeveryonewentoutontiptoe，leavingthegreatmantohimselfandhisemotion。
Havingsatstillforawhilehetouched—himselfnotknowingwhy—
thethickspotofpaintrepresentingthehighestlightintheportrait，rose，andrecalleddeBeaussetandtheofficeronduty。Heorderedtheportraittobecarriedoutsidehistent，thattheOldGuard，stationedroundit，mightnotbedeprivedofthepleasureofseeingtheKingofRome，thesonandheiroftheiradoredmonarch。
AndwhilehewasdoingM。deBeaussetthehonorofbreakfastingwithhim，theyheard，asNapoleonhadanticipated，therapturouscriesoftheofficersandmenoftheOldGuardwhohadrunuptoseetheportrait。
\"Vivel’Empereur！ViveleroideRome！Vivel’Empereur！\"camethoseecstaticcries。
AfterbreakfastNapoleonindeBeausset’spresencedictatedhisorderofthedaytothearmy。
\"Shortandenergetic！\"heremarkedwhenhehadreadovertheproclamationwhichhehaddictatedstraightoffwithoutcorrections。
Itran：
Soldiers！Thisisthebattleyouhavesolongedfor。Victorydependsonyou。Itisessentialforus；itwillgiveusallweneed：
comfortablequartersandaspeedyreturntoourcountry。BehaveasyoudidatAusterlitz，Friedland，Vitebsk，andSmolensk。Letourremotestposterityrecallyourachievementsthisdaywithpride。Letitbesaidofeachofyou：\"HewasinthegreatbattlebeforeMoscow！\"
\"BeforeMoscow！\"repeatedNapoleon，andinvitingM。deBeausset，whowassofondoftravel，toaccompanyhimonhisride，hewentoutofthetenttowherethehorsesstoodsaddled。
\"YourMajestyistookind！\"replieddeBeaussettotheinvitationtoaccompanytheEmperor；hewantedtosleep，didnotknowhowtorideandwasafraidofdoingso。
ButNapoleonnoddedtothetraveler，anddeBeaussethadtomount。
WhenNapoleoncameoutofthetenttheshoutingoftheGuardsbeforehisson’sportraitgrewstilllouder。Napoleonfrowned。
\"Takehimaway！\"hesaid，pointingwithagracefullymajesticgesturetotheportrait。\"Itistoosoonforhimtoseeafieldofbattle。\"
DeBeaussetclosedhiseyes，bowedhishead，andsigheddeeply，toindicatehowprofoundlyhevaluedandcomprehendedtheEmperor’swords。
BK10CH27
CHAPTERXXVII
Onthetwenty—fifthofAugust，sohishistorianstellus，Napoleonspentthewholedayonhorsebackinspectingthelocality，consideringplanssubmittedtohimbyhismarshals，andpersonallygivingcommandstohisgenerals。
TheoriginallineoftheRussianforcesalongtheriverKolochahadbeendislocatedbythecaptureoftheShevardinoRedoubtonthetwenty—fourth，andpartoftheline—theleftflank—hadbeendrawnback。Thatpartofthelinewasnotentrenchedandinfrontofitthegroundwasmoreopenandlevelthanelsewhere。Itwasevidenttoanyone，militaryornot，thatitwasheretheFrenchshouldattack。Itwouldseemthatnotmuchconsiderationwasneededtoreachthisconclusion，noranyparticularcareortroubleonthepartoftheEmperorandhismarshals，norwasthereanyneedofthatspecialandsupremequalitycalledgeniusthatpeoplearesoapttoascribetoNapoleon；yetthehistorianswhodescribedtheeventlaterandthemenwhothensurroundedNapoleon，andhehimself，thoughtotherwise。
Napoleonrodeovertheplainandsurveyedthelocalitywithaprofoundairandinsilence，noddedwithapprovalorshookhisheaddubiously，andwithoutcommunicatingtothegeneralsaroundhimtheprofoundcourseofideaswhichguidedhisdecisionsmerelygavethemhisfinalconclusionsintheformofcommands。HavinglistenedtoasuggestionfromDavout，whowasnowcalledPrinced’Eckmuhl，toturntheRussianleftwing，Napoleonsaiditshouldnotbedone，withoutexplainingwhynot。ToaproposalmadebyGeneralCampanwhowastoattacktheflechestoleadhisdivisionthroughthewoods，Napoleonagreed，thoughtheso—calledDukeofElchingenNeyventuredtoremarkthatamovementthroughthewoodswasdangerousandmightdisorderthedivision。
HavinginspectedthecountryoppositetheShevardinoRedoubt，NapoleonponderedalittleinsilenceandthenindicatedthespotswheretwobatteriesshouldbesetupbythemorrowtoactagainsttheRussianentrenchments，andtheplaceswhere，inlinewiththem，thefieldartilleryshouldbeplaced。
Aftergivingtheseandothercommandshereturnedtohistent，andthedispositionsforthebattlewerewrittendownfromhisdictation。
Thesedispositions，ofwhichtheFrenchhistorianswritewithenthusiasmandotherhistorianswithprofoundrespect，wereasfollows：
AtdawnthetwonewbatteriesestablishedduringthenightontheplainoccupiedbythePrinced’Eckmuhlwillopenfireontheopposingbatteriesoftheenemy。
Atthesametimethecommanderoftheartilleryofthe1stCorps，GeneralPernetti，withthirtycannonofCampan’sdivisionandallthehowitzersofDessaix’sandFriant’sdivisions，willmoveforward，openfire，andoverwhelmwithshellfiretheenemy’sbattery，againstwhichwilloperate：
24gunsoftheartilleryoftheGuards30gunsofCampan’sdivisionand8gunsofFriant’sandDessaix’sdivisions——
inall62guns。
Thecommanderoftheartilleryofthe3rdCorps，GeneralFouche，willplacethehowitzersofthe3rdand8thCorps，sixteeninall，ontheflanksofthebatterythatistobombardtheentrenchmentontheleft，whichwillhavefortygunsinalldirectedagainstit。
GeneralSorbiermustbereadyatthefirstordertoadvancewithallthehowitzersoftheGuard’sartilleryagainsteitheroneorotheroftheentrenchments。
DuringthecannonadePrincePoniatowskiistoadvancethroughthewoodonthevillageandturntheenemy’sposition。
GeneralCampanwillmovethroughthewoodtoseizethefirstfortification。
Aftertheadvancehasbeguninthismanner，orderswillbegiveninaccordancewiththeenemy’smovements。
Thecannonadeontheleftflankwillbeginassoonasthegunsoftherightwingareheard。ThesharpshootersofMorand’sdivisionandofthevice—King’sdivisionwillopenaheavyfireonseeingtheattackcommenceontherightwing。
Thevice—Kingwilloccupythevillageandcrossbyitsthreebridges，advancingtothesameheightsasMorand’sandGibrard’sdivisions，whichunderhisleadershipwillbedirectedagainsttheredoubtandcomeintolinewiththerestoftheforces。
Allthismustbedoneingoodorderletoutseferaavecordreetmethodeasfaraspossibleretainingtroopsinreserve。
TheImperialCampnearMozhaysk，September，6，1812。
Thesedispositions，whichareveryobscureandconfusedifoneallowsoneselftoregardthearrangementswithoutreligiousaweofhisgenius，relatedtoNapoleon’sorderstodealwithfourpoints—fourdifferentorders。Notoneofthesewas，orcouldbe，carriedout。
InthedispositionitissaidfirstthatthebatteriesplacedonthespotchosenbyNapoleon，withthegunsofPernettiandFouche；whichweretocomeinlinewiththem，102gunsinall，weretoopenfireandshowershellsontheRussianflechesandredoubts。Thiscouldnotbedone，asfromthespotsselectedbyNapoleontheprojectilesdidnotcarrytotheRussianworks，andthose102gunsshotintotheairuntilthenearestcommander，contrarytoNapoleon’sinstructions，movedthemforward。
ThesecondorderwasthatPoniatowski，movingtothevillagethroughthewood，shouldturntheRussianleftflank。Thiscouldnotbedoneandwasnotdone，becausePoniatowski，advancingonthevillagethroughthewood，metTuchkovtherebarringhisway，andcouldnotanddidnotturntheRussianposition。
Thethirdorderwas：GeneralCampanwillmovethroughthewoodtoseizethefirstfortification。GeneralCampan’sdivisiondidnotseizethefirstfortificationbutwasdrivenback，foronemergingfromthewoodithadtoreformundergrapeshot，ofwhichNapoleonwasunaware。
Thefourthorderwas：Thevice—KingwilloccupythevillageBorodinoandcrossbyitsthreebridges，advancingtothesameheightsasMorand’sandGdrard’sdivisionsforwhosemovementsnodirectionsaregiven，whichunderhisleadershipwillbedirectedagainsttheredoubtandcomeintolinewiththerestoftheforces。
Asfarasonecanmakeout，notsomuchfromthisunintelligiblesentenceasfromtheattemptsthevice—Kingmadetoexecutetheordersgivenhim，hewastoadvancefromtheleftthroughBorodinototheredoubtwhilethedivisionsofMorandandGerardweretoadvancesimultaneouslyfromthefront。
Allthis，liketheotherpartsofthedisposition，wasnotandcouldnotbeexecuted。AfterpassingthroughBorodinothevice—KingwasdrivenbacktotheKolochaandcouldgetnofarther；whilethedivisionsofMorandandGerarddidnottaketheredoubtbutweredrivenback，andtheredoubtwasonlytakenattheendofthebattlebythecavalryathingprobablyunforeseenandnotheardofbyNapoleon。Sonotoneoftheordersinthedispositionwas，orcouldbe，executed。Butinthedispositionitissaidthat，afterthefighthascommencedinthismanner，orderswillbegiveninaccordancewiththeenemy’smovements，andsoitmightbesupposedthatallnecessaryarrangementswouldbemadebyNapoleonduringthebattle。
Butthiswasnotandcouldnotbedone，forduringthewholebattleNapoleonwassofarawaythat，asappearedlater，hecouldnotknowthecourseofthebattleandnotoneofhisordersduringthefightcouldbeexecuted。
BK10CH28
CHAPTERXXVIII
ManyhistorianssaythattheFrenchdidnotwinthebattleofBorodinobecauseNapoleonhadacold，andthatifhehadnothadacoldtheordershegavebeforeandduringthebattlewouldhavebeenstillmorefullofgeniusandRussiawouldhavebeenlostandthefaceoftheworldhavebeenchanged。TohistorianswhobelievethatRussiawasshapedbythewillofoneman—PetertheGreat—andthatFrancefromarepublicbecameanempireandFrencharmieswenttoRussiaatthewillofoneman—Napoleon—tosaythatRussiaremainedapowerbecauseNapoleonhadabadcoldonthetwenty—fourthofAugustmayseemlogicalandconvincing。
IfithaddependedonNapoleon’swilltofightornottofightthebattleofBorodino，andifthisorthatotherarrangementdependedonhiswill，thenevidentlyacoldaffectingthemanifestationofhiswillmighthavesavedRussia，andconsequentlythevaletwhoomittedtobringNapoleonhiswaterproofbootsonthetwenty—fourthwouldhavebeenthesaviorofRussia。Alongthatlineofthoughtsuchadeductionisindubitable，asindubitableasthedeductionVoltairemadeinjestwithoutknowingwhathewasjestingatwhenhesawthattheMassacreofSt。BartholomewwasduetoCharlesIX’sstomachbeingderanged。ButtomenwhodonotadmitthatRussiawasformedbythewillofoneman，PeterI，orthattheFrenchEmpirewasformedandthewarwithRussiabegunbythewillofoneman，Napoleon，thatargumentseemsnotmerelyuntrueandirrational，butcontrarytoallhumanreality。Tothequestionofwhatcauseshistoriceventsanotheranswerpresentsitself，namely，thatthecourseofhumaneventsispredeterminedfromonhigh—dependsonthecoincidenceofthewillsofallwhotakepartintheevents，andthataNapoleon’sinfluenceonthecourseoftheseeventsispurelyexternalandfictitious。
StrangeasatfirstglanceitmayseemtosupposethattheMassacreofSt。BartholomewwasnotduetoCharlesIX’swill，thoughhegavetheorderforitandthoughtitwasdoneasaresultofthatorder；andstrangeasitmayseemtosupposethattheslaughterofeightythousandmenatBorodinowasnotduetoNapoleon’swill，thoughheorderedthecommencementandconductofthebattleandthoughtitwasdonebecauseheorderedit；strangeasthesesuppositionsappear，yethumandignity—whichtellsmethateachofusis，ifnotmoreatleastnotlessamanthanthegreatNapoleon—demandstheacceptanceofthatsolutionofthequestion，andhistoricinvestigationabundantlyconfirmsit。
AtthebattleofBorodinoNapoleonshotatnooneandkillednoone。
Thatwasalldonebythesoldiers。Thereforeitwasnothewhokilledpeople。
TheFrenchsoldierswenttokillandbekilledatthebattleofBorodinonotbecauseofNapoleon’sordersbutbytheirownvolition。
Thewholearmy—French，Italian，German，Polish，andDutch—hungry，ragged，andwearyofthecampaign，feltatthesightofanarmyblockingtheirroadtoMoscowthatthewinewasdrawnandmustbedrunk。HadNapoleonthenforbiddenthemtofighttheRussians，theywouldhavekilledhimandhaveproceededtofighttheRussiansbecauseitwasinevitable。
WhentheyheardNapoleon’sproclamationofferingthem，ascompensationformutilationanddeath，thewordsofposterityabouttheirhavingbeeninthebattlebeforeMoscow，theycried\"Vivel’Empereur！\"justastheyhadcried\"Vivel’Empereur！\"atthesightoftheportraitoftheboypiercingtheterrestrialglobewithatoystick，andjustastheywouldhavecried\"Vivel’Empereur！\"atanynonsensethatmightbetoldthem。Therewasnothingleftforthemtodobutcry\"Vivel’Empereur！\"andgotofight，inordertogetfoodandrestasconquerorsinMoscow。SoitwasnotbecauseofNapoleon’scommandsthattheykilledtheirfellowmen。
AnditwasnotNapoleonwhodirectedthecourseofthebattle，fornoneofhisorderswereexecutedandduringthebattlehedidnotknowwhatwasgoingonbeforehim。SothewayinwhichthesepeoplekilledoneanotherwasnotdecidedbyNapoleon’swillbutoccurredindependentlyofhim，inaccordwiththewillofhundredsofthousandsofpeoplewhotookpartinthecommonaction。ItonlyseemedtoNapoleonthatitalltookplacebyhiswill。Andsothequestionwhetherhehadorhadnotacoldhasnomorehistoricinterestthanthecoldoftheleastofthetransportsoldiers。
Moreover，theassertionmadebyvariouswritersthathiscoldwasthecauseofhisdispositionsnotbeingaswellplannedasonformeroccasions，andofhisordersduringthebattlenotbeingasgoodaspreviously，isquitebaseless，whichagainshowsthatNapoleon’scoldonthetwenty—sixthofAugustwasunimportant。
Thedispositionscitedabovearenotatallworse，butareevenbetter，thanpreviousdispositionsbywhichhehadwonvictories。
Hispseudo—ordersduringthebattlewerealsonoworsethanformerly，butmuchthesameasusual。ThesedispositionsandordersonlyseemworsethanpreviousonesbecausethebattleofBorodinowasthefirstNapoleondidnotwin。Theprofoundestandmostexcellentdispositionsandordersseemverybad，andeverylearnedmilitaristcriticizesthemwithlooksoksimportance，whentheyrelatetoabattlethathasbeenlost，andtheveryworstdispositionsandordersseemverygood，andseriouspeoplefillwholevolumestodemonstratetheirmerits，whentheyrelatetoabattlethathasbeenwon。
ThedispositionsdrawnupbyWeyrotherforthebattleofAusterlitzwereamodelofperfectionforthatkindofcomposition，butstilltheywerecriticized—criticizedfortheirveryperfection，fortheirexcessiveminuteness。
NapoleonatthebattleofBorodinofulfilledhisofficeasrepresentativeofauthorityaswellas，andevenbetterthan，atotherbattles。Hedidnothingharmfultotheprogressofthebattle；heinclinedtothemostreasonableopinions，hemadenoconfusion，didnotcontradicthimself，didnotgetfrightenedorrunawayfromthefieldofbattle，butwithhisgreattactandmilitaryexperiencecarriedouthisroleofappearingtocommand，calmlyandwithdignity。
BK10CH29
CHAPTERXXIX
Onreturningfromasecondinspectionofthelines，Napoleonremarked：
\"Thechessmenaresetup，thegamewillbegintomorrow！\"
HavingorderedpunchandsummoneddeBeausset，hebegantotalktohimaboutParisandaboutsomechangeshemeanttomaketheEmpress’
household，surprisingtheprefectbyhismemoryofminutedetailsrelatingtothecourt。
Heshowedaninterestintrifles，jokedaboutdeBeausset’sloveoftravel，andchattedcarelessly，asafamous，self—confidentsurgeonwhoknowshisjobdoeswhenturninguphissleevesandputtingonhisapronwhileapatientisbeingstrappedtotheoperatingtable。
\"Thematterisinmyhandsandisclearanddefiniteinmyhead。
WhenthetimescomestosettoworkIshalldoitasnooneelsecould，butnowIcanjest，andthemoreIjestandthecalmerIamthemoretranquilandconfidentyououghttobe，andthemoreamazedatmygenius。\"
Havingfinishedhissecondglassofpunch，Napoleonwenttorestbeforetheseriousbusinesswhich，heconsidered，awaitedhimnextday。Hewassomuchinterestedinthattaskthathewasunabletosleep，andinspiteofhiscoldwhichhadgrownworsefromthedampnessoftheevening，hewentintothelargedivisionofthetentatthreeo’clockinthemorning，loudlyblowinghisnose。HeaskedwhethertheRussianshadnotwithdrawn，andwastoldthattheenemy’sfireswerestillinthesameplaces。Henoddedapproval。
Theadjutantinattendancecameintothetent。
\"Well，Rapp，doyouthinkweshalldogoodbusinesstoday？\"Napoleonaskedhim。
\"Withoutdoubt，sire，\"repliedRapp。
Napoleonlookedathim。
\"Doyouremember，sire，whatyoudidmethehonortosayatSmolensk？\"continuedRapp。\"Thewineisdrawnandmustbedrunk。\"
Napoleonfrownedandsatsilentforalongtimeleaninghisheadonhishand。
\"Thispoorarmy！\"hesuddenlyremarked。\"IthasdiminishedgreatlysinceSmolensk。Fortuneisfranklyacourtesan，Rapp。IhavealwayssaidsoandIambeginningtoexperienceit。ButtheGuards，Rapp，theGuardsareintact？\"heremarkedinterrogatively。
\"Yes，sire，\"repliedRapp。
Napoleontookalozenge，putitinhismouth，andglancedathiswatch。Hewasnotsleepyanditwasstillnotnearlymorning。Itwasimpossibletogivefurtherordersforthesakeofkillingtime，fortheordershadallbeengivenandwerenowbeingexecuted。
\"HavethebiscuitsandricebeenservedouttotheregimentsoftheGuards？\"askedNapoleonsternly。
\"Yes，sire。\"
\"Thericetoo？\"
RapprepliedthathehadgiventheEmperor’sorderabouttherice，butNapoleonshookhisheadindissatisfactionasifnotbelievingthathisorderhadbeenexecuted。Anattendantcameinwithpunch。
NapoleonorderedanotherglasstobebroughtforRapp，andsilentlysippedhisown。
\"Ihaveneithertastenorsmell，\"heremarked，sniffingathisglass。\"Thiscoldistiresome。Theytalkaboutmedicine—whatisthegoodofmedicinewhenitcan’tcureacold！Corvisartgavemetheselozengesbuttheydon’thelpatall。Whatcandoctorscure？Onecan’tcureanything。Ourbodyisamachineforliving。Itisorganizedforthat，itisitsnature。Letlifegooninitunhinderedandletitdefenditself，itwilldomorethanifyouparalyzeitbyencumberingitwithremedies。Ourbodyislikeaperfectwatchthatshouldgoforacertaintime；watchmakercannotopenit，hecanonlyadjustitbyfumbling，andthatblindfold……Yes，ourbodyisjustamachineforliving，thatisall。\"
Andhavingenteredonthepathofdefinition，ofwhichhewasfond，Napoleonsuddenlyandunexpectedlygaveanewone。
\"Doyouknow，Rapp，whatmilitaryartis？\"askedhe。\"Itistheartofbeingstrongerthantheenemyatagivenmoment。That’sall。\"
Rappmadenoreply。
\"TomorrowweshallhavetodealwithKutuzov！\"saidNapoleon。\"Weshallsee！DoyourememberatBraunauhecommandedanarmyforthreeweeksanddidnotoncemountahorsetoinspecthisentrenchments……Weshallsee！\"
Helookedathiswatch。Itwasstillonlyfouro’clock。Hedidnotfeelsleepy。Thepunchwasfinishedandtherewasstillnothingtodo。
Herose，walkedtoandfro，putonawarmovercoatandahat，andwentoutofthetent。Thenightwasdarkanddamp，ascarcelyperceptiblemoisturewasdescendingfromabove。Nearby，thecampfiresweredimlyburningamongtheFrenchGuards，andinthedistancethoseoftheRussianlineshonethroughthesmoke。Theweatherwascalm，andtherustleandtrampoftheFrenchtroopsalreadybeginningtomovetotakeuptheirpositionswereclearlyaudible。
Napoleonwalkedaboutinfrontofhistent，lookedatthefiresandlistenedtothesesounds，andashewaspassingatallguardsmaninashaggycap，whowasstandingsentinelbeforehistentandhaddrawnhimselfuplikeablackpillaratsightoftheEmperor，Napoleonstoppedinfrontofhim。
\"Whatyeardidyouentertheservice？\"heaskedwiththataffectationofmilitarybluntnessandgenialitywithwhichhealwaysaddressedthesoldiers。
Themanansweredthequestion。
\"Ah！Oneoftheoldones！Hasyourregimenthaditsrice？\"
\"Ithas，YourMajesty。\"
Napoleonnoddedandwalkedaway。
Athalf—pastfiveNapoleonrodetothevillageofShevardino。
Itwasgrowinglight，theskywasclearing，onlyasinglecloudlayintheeast。Theabandonedcampfireswereburningthemselvesoutinthefaintmorninglight。
Ontherightasingledeepreportofacannonresoundedanddiedawayintheprevailingsilence。Someminutespassed。Asecondandathirdreportshooktheair，thenafourthandafifthboomedsolemnlynearbyontheright。
Thefirstshotshadnotyetceasedtoreverberatebeforeothersrangoutandyetmorewereheardminglingwithandovertakingoneanother。
NapoleonwithhissuiterodeuptotheShevardinoRedoubtwherehedismounted。Thegamehadbegun。
BK10CH30
CHAPTERXXX
OnreturningtoGorkiafterhavingseenPrinceAndrew，Pierreorderedhisgroomtogetthehorsesreadyandtocallhimearlyinthemorning，andthenimmediatelyfellasleepbehindapartitioninacornerBorishadgivenuptohim。
Beforehewasthoroughlyawakenextmorningeverybodyhadalreadyleftthehut。Thepaneswererattlinginthelittlewindowsandhisgroomwasshakinghim。
\"Yourexcellency！Yourexcellency！Yourexcellency！\"hekeptrepeatingpertinaciouslywhileheshookPierrebytheshoulderwithoutlookingathim，havingapparentlylosthopeofgettinghimtowakeup。
\"What？Hasitbegun？Isittime？\"Pierreasked，wakingup。
\"Hearthefiring，\"saidthegroom，adischargedsoldier。\"Allthegentlemenhavegoneout，andhisSereneHighnesshimselfrodepastlongago。\"
Pierredressedhastilyandranouttotheporch。Outsideallwasbright，fresh，dewy，andcheerful。Thesun，justburstingforthfrombehindacloudthathadconcealedit，wasshining，withraysstillhalfbrokenbytheclouds，overtheroofsofthestreetopposite，onthedew—besprinkleddustoftheroad，onthewallsofthehouses，onthewindows，thefence，andonPierre’shorsesstandingbeforethehut。Theroarofgunssoundedmoredistinctoutside。AnadjutantaccompaniedbyaCossackpassedbyatasharptrot。
\"It’stime，Count；it’stime！\"criedtheadjutant。
Tellingthegroomtofollowhimwiththehorses，Pierrewentdownthestreettotheknollfromwhichhehadlookedatthefieldofbattlethedaybefore。Acrowdofmilitarymenwasassembledthere，membersofthestaffcouldbeheardconversinginFrench，andKutuzov’sgrayheadinawhitecapwitharedbandwasvisible，hisgraynapesunkbetweenhisshoulders。Hewaslookingthroughafieldglassdownthehighroadbeforehim。
MountingthestepstotheknollPierrelookedatthescenebeforehim，spellboundbybeauty。Itwasthesamepanoramahehadadmiredfromthatspotthedaybefore，butnowthewholeplacewasfulloftroopsandcoveredbysmokecloudsfromtheguns，andtheslantingraysofthebrightsun，risingslightlytotheleftbehindPierre，castuponitthroughtheclearmorningairpenetratingstreaksofrosy，goldentintedlightandlongdarkshadows。Theforestatthefarthestextremityofthepanoramaseemedcarvedinsomepreciousstoneofayellowish—greencolor；itsundulatingoutlinewassilhouettedagainstthehorizonandwaspiercedbeyondValuevobytheSmolenskhighroadcrowdedwithtroops。Nearerathandglitteredgoldencornfieldsinterspersedwithcopses。Thereweretroopstobeseeneverywhere，infrontandtotherightandleft。Allthiswasvivid，majestic，andunexpected；butwhatimpressedPierremostofallwastheviewofthebattlefielditself，ofBorodinoandthehollowsonbothsidesoftheKolocha。
AbovetheKolocha，inBorodinoandonbothsidesofit，especiallytotheleftwheretheVoynaflowingbetweenitsmarshybanksfallsintotheKolocha，amisthadspreadwhichseemedtomelt，todissolve，andtobecometranslucentwhenthebrilliantsunappearedandmagicallycoloredandoutlinedeverything。Thesmokeofthegunsmingledwiththismist，andoverthewholeexpanseandthroughthatmisttheraysofthemorningsunwerereflected，flashingbacklikelightningfromthewater，fromthedew，andfromthebayonetsofthetroopscrowdedtogetherbytheriverbanksandinBorodino。Awhitechurchcouldbeseenthroughthemist，andhereandtheretheroofsofhutsinBorodinoaswellasdensemassesofsoldiers，orgreenammunitionchestsandordnance。Andallthismoved，orseemedtomove，asthesmokeandmistspreadoutoverthewholespace。Justasinthemist—envelopedhollownearBorodino，soalongtheentirelineoutsideandaboveitandespeciallyinthewoodsandfieldstotheleft，inthevalleysandonthesummitsofthehighground，cloudsofpowdersmokeseemedcontinuallytospringupoutofnothing，nowsingly，nowseveralatatime，sometranslucent，othersdense，which，swelling，growing，rolling，andblending，extendedoverthewholeexpanse。
Thesepuffsofsmokeandstrangetosaythesoundofsoundofthefiringproducedthechiefbeautyofthespectacle。
\"Puff！\"—suddenlyaroundcompactcloudofsmokewasseenmergingfromvioletintograyandmilkywhite，and\"boom！\"camethereportasecondlater。
\"Puff！puff！\"—andtwocloudsarosepushingoneanotherandblendingtogether；and\"boom，boom！\"camethesoundsconfirmingwhattheeyehadseen。
Pierreglancedroundatthefirstcloud，whichhehadseenasaroundcompactball，andinitsplacealreadywereballoonsofsmokefloatingtooneside，and—\"puff\"withapause—\"puff，puff！\"