War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

Part 2 of Book 1 takes readers to the forests outside Braunau, in the Archduchy of Austria, and close to the conflict engulfing continental Europe.Thousands of Russian soldiers marched 700 miles eastward to link up with their Austrian allies. Commanding them is General Mikhail Kutuzov. Focused on is the Third Company of the Semyonovsky Regiment of about 2,000 men.  They are camping near Braunau and are quite the curiosity to the locals. The troops are naturally exhausted. However, they are intrigued by the Austrian splendor: the scenery, the orchards, the masonry and the tiled roofs. The mid-level commanders receive word there will be an inspection, where Kutuzov and his Austrian counterpart will walk the lines. Their intuition says to get the men in their “parade” uniforms, so they can look their best. They yell commands on the thought it is: “better to bow too low; than not low enough.” The men do a splendid job but can’t cover up the horrible state of their boots, as the Austrians have been tardy in provid