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.
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.
Book 13, Chapter 3
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.
Summary:
The Russian army was commanded by Kutúzov and his staff, and also by the Emperor from Petersburg. The whole staff of the Russian army was reorganized. Many men were trying to influence the conduct of the war, each imagining himself to be in charge. As a result of the hostility between Kutúzov and Bennigsen, the presence of confidential representatives of the Emperor, and other factors, more than usually complicated infighting of parties was going on among the staff of the army. With Moscow now in French hands, and worried that Petersburg might be next, the Emperor sent a long and rather harsh letter to Kutúzov, asking Kutúzov how it could be possible that he still had not gone on the offensive against the French. Even in Petersburg people were thinking it high time to attack the French, contrary to the view of Kutúzov that waiting was better. As the situation was unfolding on the ground, things had reached a point where Kutúzov could no longer oppose the momentum of events, even though he may have wished to do so. So, Kutúzov ordered an attack on the French at Tarútino, even before receiving the letter from the Emperor urging him to go on the offensive.
quote from the chapter:
You will be responsible if the enemy is able to direct a force of any size against Petersburg to threaten this capital in which it has not been possible to retain many troops; for with the army entrusted to you, and acting with resolution and energy, you have ample means to avert this fresh calamity. Remember that you have still to answer to our offended country for the loss of Moscow. You have experienced my readiness to reward you. That readiness will not weaken in me, but I and Russia have a right to expect from you all the zeal, firmness, and success which your intellect, military talent, and the courage of the troops you command justify us in expecting.
But by the time this letter, which proved that the real relation of the forces had already made itself felt in Petersburg, was dispatched, Kutúzov had found himself unable any longer to restrain the army he commanded from attacking and a battle had taken place.
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