Napoleon is coming for Kutuzov's army of 40,000 tired Russians, so his choices are to remain and engage Napoleon's 150,000 cheese-eating surrender monkeys, wander into the Bohemian mountains to try to find a route of the road, or retreat back to Olmutz to meet more more soldiers who are russian to meet him. He picks the latter, which has a risk of meeting the French who had crossed the Vienna bridge, who are three times as strong and will be able to hem in in on both sides. I am no general, but that does not seem like a good thing.
The French are are heading toward Znaim, 66 miles away. If Kutuzov reaches Znaim before them, he can block them, I think? He sends Bagration out with a vanguard of 4000. Their job is to stop the French entering Znaim from Vienna. A third of them are lost during the forced march, but they make it! Still, they are knackered and hungry, and having to face the entire enemy army, which is clearly impossible. So Bagration pretends a truce is being negotiated so the French won't attack for a bit and his men can recover. It works until Napoleon sends a letter telling his army they've been tricked, and decides to deliver it himself, with even more of his army.
Bagration's poor men are trying to enjoy a nice breakfast of porridge for the first time in three days. And that's where the chapter ends. Dundundun....
Bagration's poor men are trying to enjoy a nice breakfast of porridge for the first time in three days. And that's where the chapter ends. Dundundun....
