Pierre heads out to find the army in order to join in a battle.
Summary:
On the day of the battle of Shevárdino, Pierre leaves Mozháysk and is driven to where he expects to find the army. He wants to join the fighting. As he gets nearer, he gets out and begins to walk up the hill. Coming toward him was a train of carts carrying men who had been wounded in the engagement the day before. He sees many wounded soldiers walking or being carried. After a while, Pierre meets a doctor he knows. Pierre talks with the doctor, explaining his intention of taking part in a battle. The doctor tells Pierre he should apply to Kutúzov. When he reaches the little village street, he sees a group of peasants digging. Pierre is struck with the solemnity and importance of the moment.
quote from the chapter:
But the doctor interrupted him and moved toward his gig.
I would go with you but on my honor I’m up to here-and he pointed to his throat. I’m galloping to the commander of the corps. How do matters stand?… You know, Count, there’ll be a battle tomorrow. Out of an army of a hundred thousand we must expect at least twenty thousand wounded, and we haven’t stretchers, or bunks, or dressers, or doctors enough for six thousand. We have ten thousand carts, but we need other things as well-we must manage as best we can!
The strange thought that of the thousands of men, young and old, who had stared with merry surprise at his hat (perhaps the very men he had noticed), twenty thousand were inevitably doomed to wounds and death amazed Pierre.
Book 10, Chapter 20
Pierre heads out to find the army in order to join in a battle.
Summary:
On the day of the battle of Shevárdino, Pierre leaves Mozháysk and is driven to where he expects to find the army. He wants to join the fighting. As he gets nearer, he gets out and begins to walk up the hill. Coming toward him was a train of carts carrying men who had been wounded in the engagement the day before. He sees many wounded soldiers walking or being carried. After a while, Pierre meets a doctor he knows. Pierre talks with the doctor, explaining his intention of taking part in a battle. The doctor tells Pierre he should apply to Kutúzov. When he reaches the little village street, he sees a group of peasants digging. Pierre is struck with the solemnity and importance of the moment.
quote from the chapter:
But the doctor interrupted him and moved toward his gig.
I would go with you but on my honor I’m up to here-and he pointed to his throat. I’m galloping to the commander of the corps. How do matters stand?… You know, Count, there’ll be a battle tomorrow. Out of an army of a hundred thousand we must expect at least twenty thousand wounded, and we haven’t stretchers, or bunks, or dressers, or doctors enough for six thousand. We have ten thousand carts, but we need other things as well-we must manage as best we can!
The strange thought that of the thousands of men, young and old, who had stared with merry surprise at his hat (perhaps the very men he had noticed), twenty thousand were inevitably doomed to wounds and death amazed Pierre.
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