An unnamed, impoverished young officer who is related to Count Rostóv stops at the Rostóv house seeking assistance, and the housekeeper gives him 25 rubles.
Disorderly crowds of working men read a government edict telling them to join tomorrow’s battle. However, they begin to realize the battle is a hoax played on them by the authorities.
Rostopchín, who had thought himself an outstanding administrator of Moscow, becomes upset and blames others when the course of events shows this not to have been the case.
Rostopchín turns the prisoner Vereshchágin over to the mob to be brutally beaten and killed, although Vereshchágin was sentenced only to hard labor.
Napoleon’s army enters Moscow, meeting only trivial resistance. Once dispersed in the city, the men forever cease being soldiers. They turn into mere marauders. Carelessness, not arson, results in Moscow’s burning.
Pierre spent two days at Bazdéev’s house, and began to imagine killing Napoleon.
Some French soldiers arrive at Bazdéev’s house seeking lodging. Pierre tackles the crazy old man before he can shoot the French officer.
Pierre and the affable French officer sit talking the whole evening about many things but mostly about love and women. Eventually Pierre truthfully tells the officer the entire story of his life.
On their second night on the road, the Rostóv family and the wounded men traveling with them first see Moscow burning in the distance.
Natásha learns Prince Andrew is among the wounded traveling with them. That night, she sneaks into Andrew’s sickroom to see him.