Multiple factors were making a Russian advance on the French inevitable, even though Kutúzov would have preferred to delay the attack.
Many people were vying to steer army operations, each one believing he had more influence then he actually had. The Emperor orders Kutúzov to go on the offensive. By then, the battle of Tarútino has already taken place.
Dispositions for a battle at Tarútino were prepared and signed by Kutúzov. However, Ermólov needlessly delayed signing the dispositions, only because he wanted to get Konovnítsyn into trouble.
On the morning of the planned battle, the troops were not in place and ready to attack. Kutúzov totally loses it! He completely chews out two officers who just happened to be nearby. The attack has to be postponed until the next day.
The attack on Murat’s camp at Tarútino is poorly managed and results in only partial success. Many prisoners and booty are taken, but Murat is not captured and there are unnecessary Russian casualties.
The battle of Tarútino was very different than planned, but the end results were good, since this battle shifted the Russian army from retreating to attacking, and it shocked Napoleon’s army into beginning its flight out of Russia.
It may seem that Napoleon had lots of great options for continued success. But he was just one person being swept along by life, like everyone else, and no one’s personal activity can ever be enough to direct the flow of history.
After capturing Moscow, Napoleon took many steps to restore and maintain public order as well as to continue to advance his military goals in Russia.
Nothing Napoleon tried to restore and maintain public order in Moscow as well as to continue to advance his military goals in Russia seemed to work. Finally, after the fall of Tarútino, Napoleon ordered the departure of the French army.
After four weeks Pierre has adjusted well to life in the prison camp. The experience has been invigorating. He gets along well with the other prisoners and with the guards. They plan to leave Moscow soon.