Bk. 1, Pt. 2, Ep. 3: Napoleon's Mastery at Ulm, Bavaria (Oct. 1805)

General Kutuzov remains adamant about not sending his men into action. He is holding out despite appeals of Austrians leadership, who wish make use of his nearly arrived forces. Kutuzov is portrayed as knowing an attack would be foolhardy. He makes his position known to representatives of the Hofkriegsrat – the Austrian Council of War, who developed a reputation of bureaucratic decision-making.  

Kutuzov uses a correspondence of the Archduke to demonstrate his exhausted men are not needed, as the missive announces the Austrians are Masters of Ulm, ready to deal with whatever the French throw at them. More recent intelligence suggests the opposite, which is quickly and dramatically confirmed. 

The camp in Braunnau gets word of Austria’s historic defeat in Ulm, Bavaria (October 16th - 19th of 1805) and it is (fictionally) delivered by General Mack himself. Historically, Napoleon forced a surrender of tens of thousands after a masterful encircling maneuver. This victory continued build his mythic reputation as one of the great generals. Napoleon provoked the conflict when he knew much of the Czar’s forces were still marching to link up with the Austrians. The Austrians expected Italy to be the main battleground and put the bulk of their forces there. They maintained a smaller force in Bavaria and that is where Napoleon focused.

We catch up with Prince Andrei, who is enthralled with his role as closest aide to Kutuzov. His work involves receiving the latest war updates and drawing up memoranda. He has learned much since he linked up with Kutuzov in Poland. Andrei's intelligence and work ethic is well-respected. Many see Andrei as destined for greatness while others notice a coldness. Nevertheless, the way Andrei carries himself displays how well he adapted to military life.

Andrei encounters a bandaged Austrian general, who is revealed to be the “Unfortunate Mack,” who discloses the events at Ulm. Kutuzov realized his troops would have to enter the fray. There would be no further delay.  Andrei quickly grasped the significance of the moment. He would be introduced to battle where so many of his fellow countrymen, now so full of life, would fall. He felt conflicted. Though he would not overtly express it, he was satisfied the “arrogant Austrians” suffered humiliation from Napoleon, who remained his hero.

Andrei then ran into two of his less-serious colleagues; Nevitsky & Zherkov, who did not yet hear of the defeat and were irreverent toward Austrian leadership (making mock gestures as they walked by). Andrei set these men straight telling them not to play the fool. He took Nevitsky aside and lectured to accept the Austrians as brothers in a common cause. He lectured they should act united in grieving losses and celebrating victories. Otherwise, they are rendered mere mercenaries.