French sharpshooters begin to execute the prisoners. Pierre expects to be next. However, after the man ahead of Pierre is shot, the executions cease. Pierre and those behind him in line were only brought there as witnesses.
French sharpshooters begin to execute the prisoners. Pierre expects to be next. However, after the man ahead of Pierre is shot, the executions cease. Pierre and those behind him in line were only brought there as witnesses.
Book 12, Chapter 11
French sharpshooters begin to execute the prisoners. Pierre expects to be next. However, after the man ahead of Pierre is shot, the executions cease. Pierre and those behind him in line were only brought there as witnesses.
Summary:
The prisoners were led to a spot where a fresh pit had been dug. Around the pit was a large crowd of civilians and off-duty military. To the right and left of the post stood rows of French troops. The prisoners were placed in a certain order, (Pierre was sixth), and were led to the post. Several drums suddenly began to beat on both sides of them, and at that sound Pierre felt as if part of his soul had been torn away. Now Pierre only wished that the frightful thing would happen quickly. The first two prisoners were tied to the post. With hurried hands the soldiers blindfolded them, drawing sacks over their heads, and bound them to the post, and shot. Their bloody bodies were untied and pushed into the pit. Then the next two men were tied to the post, shot by a firing squad, and their bodies also shoved into the pit. The fifth prisoner, the one ahead of Pierre in line, was then tied to the post and shot. With ever-growing horror, and no sense of joy or relief, he gazed at what was taking place, expecting to be next. But, at that point, the executions ceased. It turned out that Pierre and the prisoners behind him in line had been brought there only to witness the executions of these five men. Although some of the men in the pit were still alive, their bodies were covered with dirt. Those doing the killing all plainly and certainly knew that they were criminals who must hide the traces of their guilt as quickly as possible.
quote from the chapter:
Pierre, breathing heavily, looked around as if asking what it meant. The same question was expressed in all the looks that met his.
On the faces of all the Russians and of the French soldiers and officers without exception, he read the same dismay, horror, and conflict that were in his own heart. But who, after all, is doing this? They are all suffering as I am. Who then is it? Who? flashed for an instant through his mind.
Sharpshooters of the 86th, forward! shouted someone. The fifth prisoner, the one next to Pierre, was led away-alone. Pierre did not understand that he was saved, that he and the rest had been brought there only to witness the execution. With ever-growing horror, and no sense of joy or relief, he gazed at what was taking place.
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