At an impromptu gathering, Kutúzov hears everyone’s opinions but decides he now has no option but to abandon Moscow to the French. He can’t believe it has come to this.
At an impromptu gathering, Kutúzov hears everyone’s opinions but decides he now has no option but to abandon Moscow to the French. He can’t believe it has come to this.
Book 11, Chapter 3
At an impromptu gathering, Kutúzov hears everyone’s opinions but decides he now has no option but to abandon Moscow to the French. He can’t believe it has come to this.
Summary:
On the afternoon of the battle, Kutúzov had not yet admitted to himself the possibility of retreating beyond Moscow without a battle. But, at an informal roadside gathering on the afternoon of the battle of Borodinó which in effect was something like a council of war, Kutúzov listened to what everyone had to say. Sadly, Kutúzov became aware that to continue to fight the French before Moscow was simply not viable. No workable plan for such a battle was possible. If Bennigsen insisted on the position being defended and others still discussed it, these people were not thinking of what was best for Russia. So, Kutúzov has to ask himself Have I really allowed Napoleon to reach Moscow, and when did I do so?” He could not believe it had come to this. Kutúzov had been convinced that he alone could maintain command of the army in these difficult circumstances, and that in all the world he alone could encounter the invincible Napoleon without fear. Now he was horrified at the thought of the order he had to issue for the army to retreat, which would leave an undefended Moscow to the French.
quote from the chapter:
Kutúzov’s expression grew more and more preoccupied and gloomy. From all this talk he saw only one thing: that to defend Moscow was a physical impossibility in the full meaning of those words, that is to say, so utterly impossible that if any senseless commander were to give orders to fight, confusion would result but the battle would still not take place. It would not take place because the commanders not merely all recognized the position to be impossible, but in their conversations were only discussing what would happen after its inevitable abandonment. How could the commanders lead their troops to a field of battle they considered impossible to hold? The lower-grade officers and even the soldiers (who too reason) also considered the position impossible and therefore could not go to fight, fully convinced as they were of defeat.
Click here to read full text of this chapter.
Please help improve this shared document by posting your suggested corrections, clarifications, and changes below. Thank you!