War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

The infantry regiments caught unaware scattered in the woods amidst the French assault. Soldiers shouted, “Cut off!” - a most dangerous sentiment.  “Surrounded?! We’re lost!” was the collective reply.The General realized something that he, an officer of 22 years, would be held responsible. He forgot his standoff with the cavalry colonel.   Tolstoy notes, “The moment of moral conviction, which decides the fate of battles had arrived.  Would his soldiers attend to the desperate voice of their commander or continue their flight?” Despite his shouts, the soldiers continued to run about in a panic.Nevertheless, there was a sea-change! The French disappeared as a special unit emerged from the woods -- Timokhin’s company, filled with sharpshooters.Timokhin was previously singled out by Kutuzov for his participation in the Siege of Izmail in 1790.   He recalled Timokhin had a penchant for drinking but was a good man.  Tushin and Timokhin are fictional, but symbolic to how the Battle of Shöngrabern was a success.  Tim