In Which We Discuss War and Peace, Part 9, Chapter 9

Chapter 9

Andrew reaches the general army headquarters at the end of June.  The Russian army is split into two, apparently by the French forces, and no one is happy about how it's being handled.  No one's really concerned about Russia being invaded, they all think it'll stay in the Polish provinces.  I know nothing about this war, but my foreshadowing sense is tingling and I suspect that that belief is about as accurate as "it'll be over by Christmas" (an apparently common statement about the first world war).  Andrew's been hoping to find Anatole here, but doesn't - Anatole's gone to St Petersburg.

Andrew's not terribly disappointed because the army is, finally, distracting him from his thoughts of vengeance.  He spends his first day riding around the camp, trying to decide if it's in a good position or not.  He can't.  From his previous experience, he's realised that well-considered plans don't make a large amount of difference compared to the unexpected movements of the enemy and how they are responded to.  With this in mind, Andrew starts thinking about the people in the army, rather than its placement.  We get a description of the main army staff, which makes my eyes glaze over.  I feel like most of them we'll never hear from again.  One interesting bit of info is that the men named don't have official military positions but do have positions of influence with the emperor, so it's very unclear in what capacity one is being question by them, or whether advice from them consists of direct orders from the emperor or just idle chatter.  This does not seem like a healthy army.  Also, Alexander still refuses to be commander-in-chief.  The rest of the chapter describes how these people influence the Tsar, and the various committees they are split into.  The Tsarevich - I think, Alexander's son Nikolai - did not have a good experience in the last war, and recognise both Napoleon's strength and their own weakness, and strongly feel that finding peace before they are turned out of St Petersburg is the best option.  They are the third party described, of which there are many.  At least eight.  The eighth group is the largest, and consist of men like darling Bory, who don't particular care how the war ends up as long as they come out ahead.  They greatly confuse the other seven groups, by loudly agreeing with whoever seems to be promising them riches today.  When Andrew arrives, a 9th party is forming, consisting of old men who are mostly trying to get out of this mess intact.