War & Peace Podnotes, A Study Guide

  The doomed advance commenced around 5 a.m., when still quite dark. The idea was for General Bagration’s left flank to initiate the attack on the French right flank and drive the enemy into the mountains.   Officers were hurriedly drinking tea and eating a decent breakfast while buttoning their coats and buckling their swords.  Battalion and regimental commanders, along with their adjuncts, mounted their horses and gave final instructions.  Austrian guides were now moving among the troops and heralding the advance.   Those who would be moving were anxious amidst the cold and mist.  The soldiers had been eating their rations, which consisted of a biscuit, while some beat their feet (while sitting around fires) to a tolerable warmth. The allied army reached a critical point, to either keep what they had or destroy it. Thus, into the fires went chairs, tables, wheels and everything that was not needed or could not be carried.  The men then hoisted their bags onto carts, readied their muskets, and ran t