Andrew is looking over the Russian troop positions and noting possible improvements when the French artillery begins firing.
Summary:
Having ridden round the whole line from right flank to left, Prince Andrew made his way up to the battery, which provided a view of nearly the whole Russian position and the greater part of the enemy’s battery. Andrew discerns where the French are and how the Russians might defend their ground. From there, Andrew can see several weaknesses in the Russian line. He begins to think of a better way to arrange the Russian troops. He pictures to himself the course of events in the forthcoming action in broad outline. Then, Andrew happens to overhear Captain Túshin and a few others talking about life after death. Next, a French cannon ball comes whizzing into their midst.
quote from the chapter:
Prince Andrew took out his notebook and, leaning on the cannon, sketched a plan of the position. He made some notes on two points, intending to mention them to Bagratión. His idea was, first, to concentrate all the artillery in the center, and secondly, to withdraw the cavalry to the other side of the dip. Prince Andrew, being always near the commander in chief, closely following the mass movements and general orders, and constantly studying historical accounts of battles, involuntarily pictured to himself the course of events in the forthcoming action in broad outline. He imagined only important possibilities: If the enemy attacks the right flank, he said to himself, the Kiev grenadiers and the Podólsk chasseurs must hold their position till reserves from the center come up. In that case the dragoons could successfully make a flank counterattack. If they attack our center we, having the center battery on this high ground, shall withdraw the left flank under its cover, and retreat to the dip by echelons. So he reasoned….
Book 2, Chapter 16
Andrew is looking over the Russian troop positions and noting possible improvements when the French artillery begins firing.
Summary:
Having ridden round the whole line from right flank to left, Prince Andrew made his way up to the battery, which provided a view of nearly the whole Russian position and the greater part of the enemy’s battery. Andrew discerns where the French are and how the Russians might defend their ground. From there, Andrew can see several weaknesses in the Russian line. He begins to think of a better way to arrange the Russian troops. He pictures to himself the course of events in the forthcoming action in broad outline. Then, Andrew happens to overhear Captain Túshin and a few others talking about life after death. Next, a French cannon ball comes whizzing into their midst.
quote from the chapter:
Prince Andrew took out his notebook and, leaning on the cannon, sketched a plan of the position. He made some notes on two points, intending to mention them to Bagratión. His idea was, first, to concentrate all the artillery in the center, and secondly, to withdraw the cavalry to the other side of the dip. Prince Andrew, being always near the commander in chief, closely following the mass movements and general orders, and constantly studying historical accounts of battles, involuntarily pictured to himself the course of events in the forthcoming action in broad outline. He imagined only important possibilities: If the enemy attacks the right flank, he said to himself, the Kiev grenadiers and the Podólsk chasseurs must hold their position till reserves from the center come up. In that case the dragoons could successfully make a flank counterattack. If they attack our center we, having the center battery on this high ground, shall withdraw the left flank under its cover, and retreat to the dip by echelons. So he reasoned….
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!