War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

There was a rush across the bridge from the oncoming French.   Only Denisov’s squadron of Hussars and some Cossacks were on the side facing the enemy. The French became visible, emerging from a tree line on the heights, putting their artillery into position.  The Hussars remained poised amidst their bugle calls.  Between Denisov’s men and the enemy was about 700 yards of vacant space. It was a no-man’s land that Tolstoy gave transcendent significance.  He wrote:“One step beyond that line, which is like the bourne dividing the living from the dead… [W]hat is there?, who is there?, there beyond that field, beyond that tree…. No one knows, but who does not long to know. You fear to cross that line, yet you long to cross it; and you know that sooner or later it will have to be crossed….”Soon, the French fired cannons that overshot the Hussars. The Hussars were affected, which each face showing an expression of “conflict, excitement and agitation.”  Rostov sat on his horse, confident and ready to showcase his brav