12 min
Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ch. 13: The Poignancy of Kutuzov's scars War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide
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- História
Andrei embarks on his mission to “save the army,” by getting back to Kutuzov. He secures a Cossack horse and attendant and travels from Brünn to Krems.
He finds himself among thousands of soldiers, who are weary. The roads were jammed with carts, horses and carriages. Soldiers found themselves deprived of food, supplies and weapons promised by the Austrians. This led to a situation where soldiers would ravage the countryside and return from local villages with plunder.
The road remained a mess much of the way, with commanders yelling, whips cracking and soldiers in poor spirits. The side of the road was littered with dead horses, broken wagons and the sick or injured.
Andrei had occasion to reflect on Napoleon’s words: “That Russian army which English gold has brought from the ends of the Universe; we shall cause it to share the same fate as the army at Ulm.” However, Andrei senses the next battle could be his Siege of Toulan, the conflict (1793) where Napoleon made a name for himself.
Amidst the chaos, Andrei comes across an unusual scene - a drunk officer driving a carriage and whipping the driver of another who apparently “cut the line.” The drunkard yells, “Turn back with your slut.” He is referring to the woman pleading for help while her husband (a physician) is being assaulted. The Russian Army had a reputation of allowing wives travel with some officers – though it was technically against the rules. The woman appeals for someone in authority and spots Andrei. He bears a few insults but uses tact and his position to diffuse the situation. He soon reaches the village where Kutuzov is located.
As Andrei walks around - Nesvitsky spots him, and his expression revealed the army’s dreadful position. As he escorted Andrei to Kutuzov, he inquires what Andrei knows about any truce, hoping for same. Nesvitsky reflects on how immature he was to laugh at Mack’s situation. Nesvitsky also noticed Andrei was suffering from the elements -- wincing and wheezing.
As Andrei nears Kutuzov’s quarters, Kozlovsky (another close aide), was dictating orders that there will be battle, not capitulation. Kutuzov was in the process sending Prince Pytor Bagration to fight in the next battle. Kutuzov said, amidst tears, “Well, good-bye Prince, Christ be with you, Many blessings on Your great endeavor.” He drew Bagration close with his left hand and with his right, crossed himself. In return, Bagration kissed Kutuzov on the neck.
Kutuzov noticed Andrei and asked him to enter his carriage. Andrei initially begged to fight with Bagration. Kutuzov diplomatically refused, knowing it was pointless. He told Andrei, “I have need of good officers with me” and that “there is still much before us.” Kutuzov poignantly relayed, “if one in ten of that division returns, I shall be thankful to God.” During the ride, the two were quite close, giving Andrei a chance to examine the deep scar on Kutuzov’s temple where a bullet pierced his skull. Andrei realizes Kutuzov earned the right to speak about all facets of war, even sending men to their deaths, recognizing this as a necessary aspect of leadership.
The nature of Kutuzov’s infamous wound is discussed. Though not referenced in much detail, Kutuzov was shot in 1774 -- in Alushta, Crimea -- while leading grenadiers in a siege against fortified positions of the Ottomans. He was standing on a large rock waving on his men and took a musket ball to the head. He was hit between left eye and temple and the projective went thru his skull, not hitting the brain. He wound up on a pile of the fallen. His was carried off and miraculously survived. His recovery took about year and a half. He suffered another bullet to the head in 1788 at Ochakiv when Kutuzov was scouting positions, ironically with Austrians. His jaw was fractured. The ball went in around the left cheek. It only took six months before he returned to active duty.
Andrei embarks on his mission to “save the army,” by getting back to Kutuzov. He secures a Cossack horse and attendant and travels from Brünn to Krems.
He finds himself among thousands of soldiers, who are weary. The roads were jammed with carts, horses and carriages. Soldiers found themselves deprived of food, supplies and weapons promised by the Austrians. This led to a situation where soldiers would ravage the countryside and return from local villages with plunder.
The road remained a mess much of the way, with commanders yelling, whips cracking and soldiers in poor spirits. The side of the road was littered with dead horses, broken wagons and the sick or injured.
Andrei had occasion to reflect on Napoleon’s words: “That Russian army which English gold has brought from the ends of the Universe; we shall cause it to share the same fate as the army at Ulm.” However, Andrei senses the next battle could be his Siege of Toulan, the conflict (1793) where Napoleon made a name for himself.
Amidst the chaos, Andrei comes across an unusual scene - a drunk officer driving a carriage and whipping the driver of another who apparently “cut the line.” The drunkard yells, “Turn back with your slut.” He is referring to the woman pleading for help while her husband (a physician) is being assaulted. The Russian Army had a reputation of allowing wives travel with some officers – though it was technically against the rules. The woman appeals for someone in authority and spots Andrei. He bears a few insults but uses tact and his position to diffuse the situation. He soon reaches the village where Kutuzov is located.
As Andrei walks around - Nesvitsky spots him, and his expression revealed the army’s dreadful position. As he escorted Andrei to Kutuzov, he inquires what Andrei knows about any truce, hoping for same. Nesvitsky reflects on how immature he was to laugh at Mack’s situation. Nesvitsky also noticed Andrei was suffering from the elements -- wincing and wheezing.
As Andrei nears Kutuzov’s quarters, Kozlovsky (another close aide), was dictating orders that there will be battle, not capitulation. Kutuzov was in the process sending Prince Pytor Bagration to fight in the next battle. Kutuzov said, amidst tears, “Well, good-bye Prince, Christ be with you, Many blessings on Your great endeavor.” He drew Bagration close with his left hand and with his right, crossed himself. In return, Bagration kissed Kutuzov on the neck.
Kutuzov noticed Andrei and asked him to enter his carriage. Andrei initially begged to fight with Bagration. Kutuzov diplomatically refused, knowing it was pointless. He told Andrei, “I have need of good officers with me” and that “there is still much before us.” Kutuzov poignantly relayed, “if one in ten of that division returns, I shall be thankful to God.” During the ride, the two were quite close, giving Andrei a chance to examine the deep scar on Kutuzov’s temple where a bullet pierced his skull. Andrei realizes Kutuzov earned the right to speak about all facets of war, even sending men to their deaths, recognizing this as a necessary aspect of leadership.
The nature of Kutuzov’s infamous wound is discussed. Though not referenced in much detail, Kutuzov was shot in 1774 -- in Alushta, Crimea -- while leading grenadiers in a siege against fortified positions of the Ottomans. He was standing on a large rock waving on his men and took a musket ball to the head. He was hit between left eye and temple and the projective went thru his skull, not hitting the brain. He wound up on a pile of the fallen. His was carried off and miraculously survived. His recovery took about year and a half. He suffered another bullet to the head in 1788 at Ochakiv when Kutuzov was scouting positions, ironically with Austrians. His jaw was fractured. The ball went in around the left cheek. It only took six months before he returned to active duty.
12 min