War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

Word of Nikolai tracking down Lt. Telyanin and accusing him of stealing Denisov’s money spread through army, reaching the Hussar Regimental Commander, Colonel Karl Bogdanych Schubert (a name evidencing German ancestry).Bogdanych, a fictional leader who was universally respected, confronted Rostov and called the young ensign a liar. He did this not out of affinity for Telyanin, but to protect to integrity of his Hussars.  The Colonial desires to avoid a green officer like Rostov publicly accusing a superior, as the mere allegation of such thievery reflects poorly on the unit.  In Denisov’s quarters, Rostov receives a lecture from his fellow officers on the reality of his situation. Leading this colloquy is Kirsten, a staff sergeant, who details the obligation to apologize. Kirsten points out how Rostov is new to the regiment, highlighting how he has little to do with the shared recent history of the Pavolgrad Hussars. A great number of the Hussars have known each other for years and fully expect to die in this