War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

Along comes bouncing a light blue Austrian carriage escorted by Croatians, which is appropriate for the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It is time for the inspection of the newly arrived regiment. Out steps General Kutuzov along with his Austrian counterpart. As Kutuzov walks the line, he is pleased with the disposition of his troops. He notices the atrocious state of their boots, which the Austrians should have replaced. He points this out...diplomatically. Kutuzov graciously stops to speak with a few soldiers, some of whom he recognizes from past engagements. One is Captain Timohin, who Kutuzuv served with during the infamous Siege of Izmail (or Ismail) in 1790.  This reference points out Kutuzov’s experience in major conflicts. The siege was historically important as Izmail was a fortress at the center of an oblast (province) once controlled by the Ottomans. Thought impregnable, when the Russians breached the walls, the Muslim population was massacred.Kutuzov addressed Timohin out of respect -- but it made his re