Part 13, Chapters 1-5 Summary

The Russian army moves to Tarutino, a central position along communication and supply lines. The French spend a month pillaging Moscow, while the Russians are quietly encamped in Tarutino. The French dissipate, and the Russians gain strength. The Russians have been sending men out to hunt now and again. One day, one of them, a Cossack, returns saying that Muat and his army are less than a mile away. The inevitable movement cannot be held back any longer. On the morning of the 4th, Kutuzov signs the disposition of the forces. The battle doesn't come off, so Kutuzov wants to wait a little longer, but Bennigsen, Konovnitsyn, and Toll want to do it the next day. Kutuzov has to acquiesce.

Part 13, Chapters 1-5 Analysis

Tolstoy pulls his readers back to a larger view once again at the beginning of...