The French very nearly cut off the Russian left flank, but are repulsed thanks largely to the brave actions of Timókhin, Dólokhov and Artillery Captain Túshin.
The French very nearly cut off the Russian left flank, but are repulsed thanks largely to the brave actions of Timókhin, Dólokhov and Artillery Captain Túshin.
Book 2, Chapter 20
The French very nearly cut off the Russian left flank, but are repulsed thanks largely to the brave actions of Timókhin, Dólokhov and Artillery Captain Túshin.
Summary:
The battle of Schongrahem continues. The infantry of the left flank is confusedly, running trying to get past the encircling French. Kutozov is able to pass through the French lines unharmed, but sees his troops in chaos. He tries unsuccessfully to rally the disorderly crowd of Russian soldiers. Then Timókhin’s company of Russian sharpshooters, who have been hiding in the woods, open fire, Timókhin and Dólokhov fearlessly run at the enemy, and the French fall back for the moment. This allows the Russian infantry to reform. Meanwhile, Túshin’s battery is relentlessly pounding the French with cannon fire and grapeshot. They have set the village on fire. Túshin fights so fiercely that the French suppose that here-in the center-the main Russian forces were concentrated. They have no idea that Túshin’s four guns are not at all defended. Túshin is almost delirious with fighting. He keeps shooting, ignoring orders to withdraw. Finally, Prince Andrew is sent to order Túshin to retreat. Andrew remains at the front and sees to it that Túshin’s battery with his two remaining guns withdraw. They withdraw, Andrew having gained great respect for Túshin.
quote from the chapter:
Túshin’s battery had been forgotten and only at the very end of the action did Prince Bagratión, still hearing the cannonade in the center, send his orderly staff officer, and later Prince Andrew also, to order the battery to retire as quickly as possible. When the supports attached to Túshin’s battery had been moved away in the middle of the action by someone’s order, the battery had continued firing and was only not captured by the French because the enemy could not surmise that anyone could have the effrontery to continue firing from four quite undefended guns. On the contrary, the energetic action of that battery led the French to suppose that here-in the center-the main Russian forces were concentrated. Twice they had attempted to attack this point, but on each occasion had been driven back by grapeshot from the four isolated guns on the hillock.
Soon after Prince Bagratión had left him, Túshin had succeeded in setting fire to Schön Grabern.
Look at them scurrying! It’s burning! Just see the smoke! Fine!
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