Prince Andrew analyzes the internal politics of the Russian army at that time. The upper echelon of the army, it seems to Andrew, consists of nine internal factions all competing for control.
Prince Andrew analyzes the internal politics of the Russian army at that time. The upper echelon of the army, it seems to Andrew, consists of nine internal factions all competing for control.
Book 9, Chapter 9
Prince Andrew analyzes the internal politics of the Russian army at that time. The upper echelon of the army, it seems to Andrew, consists of nine internal factions all competing for control.
Summary:
When Andrew arrived at the army, he focused on trying to understand the army’s internal politics, because Andrew knew from experience this is what really mattered. It seemed to Andrew that at that time there were actually nine internal factions vying for control of the army. The first seven of these were separate groups, often headed by influential individuals. Each of these groups had its own ideas about what ought to be done. For example, one group favored “scientific” military strategy, one favored putting a particular general in charge, and another group wanted a peace treaty. The eighth group, by far the largest group, were individuals who were only in the army for themselves. They were mindless drones who got behind whatever idea seemed personally beneficial to them on that day. Finally, there was a ninth group of elders who realize that as currently organized the army is in bad shape. This ninth group, the elders, managed to convince Emperor Alexander to leave the army and go back to Moscow.
quote from the chapter:
During the first four days, while no duties were required of him, Prince Andrew rode round the whole fortified camp and, by the aid of his own knowledge and by talks with experts, tried to form a definite opinion about it. But the question whether the camp was advantageous or disadvantageous remained for him undecided. Already from his military experience and what he had seen in the Austrian campaign, he had come to the conclusion that in war the most deeply considered plans have no significance and that all depends on the way unexpected movements of the enemy-that cannot be foreseen-are met, and on how and by whom the whole matter is handled. To clear up this last point for himself, Prince Andrew, utilizing his position and acquaintances, tried to fathom the character of the control of the army and of the men and parties engaged in it, and he deduced for himself the following of the state of affairs.
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