On skirmishing duty at night, Nicholas and others hear cheering French troops in the near distance. Yet, a mistaken belief persists on the Russian staff that Napoleon is six miles away.
On skirmishing duty at night, Nicholas and others hear cheering French troops in the near distance. Yet, a mistaken belief persists on the Russian staff that Napoleon is six miles away.
Book 3, Chapter 13
On skirmishing duty at night, Nicholas and others hear cheering French troops in the near distance. Yet, a mistaken belief persists on the Russian staff that Napoleon is six miles away.
Summary:
A nearly dozing Nicholas rides skirmishing duty in front of Bagratión’s detachment, his mind drifting between memories of home and dreams of heroism before the Emperor. Sounds of troops can be heard not far off. Prince Bagratión and Prince Dolgorúkov with their adjutants rode up to witness the curious phenomenon of the lights and shouts in the enemy’s camp. Nicholas volunteers to Bagratión to ride up for a closer look. Nicholas is fired upon by French sentries, so rides back. Prince Bagratión and Prince Dolgorúkov speculate as to whether Napoleon has withdrawn his main troops and merely left a picket at the front. Nicholas requests and is granted permission to be with the first troops to attack in the morning. Meanwhile Napoleon, who unbeknownst to the Russians has not withdrawn his troops, exhorts his men to fight bravely the next morning, at which time Napoleon hopes to fall on the exposed Russian flank.
quote from the chapter:
Rostóv, still looking round toward the fires and the shouts, rode with the sergeant to meet some mounted men who were riding along the line. One was on a white horse. Prince Bagratión and Prince Dolgorúkov with their adjutants had come to witness the curious phenomenon of the lights and shouts in the enemy’s camp. Rostóv rode up to Bagratión, reported to him, and then joined the adjutants listening to what the generals were saying. One was on a white horse. Prince Bagratión and Prince Dolgorúkov with their adjutants had come to witness the curious phenomenon of the lights and shouts in the enemy’s camp. Believe me, said Prince Dolgorúkov, addressing Bagratión, it is nothing but a trick! He has retreated and ordered the rearguard to kindle fires and make a noise to deceive us. Hardly, said Bagratión. I saw them this evening on that knoll; if they had retreated they would have withdrawn from that too…. Officer! said Bagratión to Rostóv, are the enemy’s skirmishers still there?
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