Book 3, Chapters 11, 12, 13, 14, 15

CHAPTER 11

The Russian army is on the eve of battle and a French soldier comes with a message of a truce. Andrew asks Dolgorukov what Napoleon is like and Dolgorukov replies that he is fearless, but like any other man. Kutuzov thinks that this upcoming battle will be hopeless, even though the French have just retreated.

Important Quotes

Dolgorukov about Napoleon: "He is a man in a gray overcoat, very anxious that I should call him 'Your Majesty,' but who, to his chagrin, got no title from me! That's the sort of man he is, and nothing more," replied Dolgorukov, looking round at Bilibin with a smile."

CHAPTER 12

The generals all gather to map out the plans of the upcoming battle. Kutuzov falls asleep during the meeting while Andrew thinks about the impending doom. When the meeting is over, Andrew thinks about how it is likely that he'll die in battle soon. He wants glory above all else.

Important Quotes
 
Andrew: "Yes, it is very likely that I shall be killed tomorrow," he thought. And suddenly, at this thought of death, a whole series of most distant, most intimate, memories rose in his imagination: he remembered his last parting from his father and his wife; he remembered the days when he first loved her. He thought of her pregnancy and felt sorry for her and for himself"

Andrew: "I fear nothing. And precious and dear as many persons are to me—father, sister, wife—those dearest to me—yet dreadful and unnatural as it seems, I would give them all at once for a moment of glory, of triumph over men, of love from men I don't know and never shall know, for the love of these men here"

CHAPTER 13

Rostov sees small lights in the distance, assuming they are enemy fires. He, Dolgorukov, and Bagration ride out to see if the French have retreated or if those are their campfires. They hear shouting which the other men tell Rostov are the French pretending to make noise when, really they retreated. Rostov feels important riding with these men and asks if he can be dispatched with the first squadron the next day for battle. Bagration agrees. At the end of the chapter, a letter from Napoleon is read with his battle plans. The men Rostov heard shouting were shouting for Napoleon's declaration of battle.

Important Quotes

Rostov: "Bagration called to him from the hill not to go beyond the stream, but Rostov pretended not to hear him and did not stop but rode on and on, continually mistaking bushes for trees and gullies for men and continually discovering his mistakes."

 CHAPTER 14

Rostov and the Russian, Austrian, and German forces leave for battle. The fog is thick and nobody can see anything clearly. Their troops are attacked by the French in the fog and, taken by surprise, no one knows what to do. The commanders and adjuncts can't even find their own troops. Napoleon gazes from a hilltop, pleased to see that the Russians are doing as he predicted.

Important Quotes

[Napoleon]: "He sat motionless, looking at the heights visible above the mist, and his cold face wore that special look of confident, self-complacent happiness that one sees on the face of a boy happily in love."

CHAPTER 15

The emperor Alexander comes to check in on the troops which have not yet been dispatched. He asks Kutuzov why they are waiting and he responds that not all the troops are ready. Alexander is thinner after being sick, but eager to get on with the battle.