Volume 3: Book 11 - Chapter 4

Characters Present:

Bennigsen

Kutúzov

Ermólov

Kaysárov
Andrew Savostyánov
Malásha (Savostyánov's 6 year old grand daughter)
Toll
Dokhtúrov

Location:

A Council of War in Andrew Savostyánov's hut.


Malásha watches the council with shy delight, and is happy when she sees Kutúzhov, who she in her mind, calls Granddad, even though her actual grandfather is Andrew.

They debate on whether to retreat from Moscow.  Kutúzov eventually decides to issue the command to retreat to beyond Moscow.

Volume 3: Book 11 - Chapter 3

Characters Present:

Bennigsen

Kutúzov

Ermólov

Count Rostopchín

Location:

Poklómy Hill


Ermólov returns from inspecting the lines, and tells Kutúzov that the army will need to retreat to beyond Moscow. 

Kutúzov goes to Poklómy Hill, where he gets out of his carriage and sits on a bench. He is instantly surrounded by officers, and they have a serious discussion about whether or not to enact the retreat.

Kutúzov cannot bring himself to give the order, and decides that he must only trust his own judgement. 

Volume 2: Book 10 - Chapter 23

Characters Present:

Pierre Bezukhov
Bennigsen

Location:

Górki; the Raévski Redoubt, also called the Knoll Battery; Semënovsk; and looking over the Shevárdino Redoubt

Pierre goes on a tour of the lines with Bennigsen, who gives commands to generals as they go along.

They ride along to the left of the line, and come upon a hill that is unmanned. The generals argue that it is foolish to leave it unmanned, since having the higher ground is beneficial in battle. Bennigsen agrees with this, and moves troops about without telling the Commander-in-Chief. 

This is a mistake, as the troops were supposed to be concealed to create a sudden ambush.