Part 13, Chapters 14-19 Summary

Thanks to his height, Pierre can see over the great crowds as they push along. The French soldiers beat the Russian prisoners if they don't keep up or stray off the road. Pierre is afraid. Early in October another messenger comes to Kutuzov from Napoleon with overtures for peace. Kutuzov answers that there can be no question of peace. Tolstoy talks about a couple of men in the Russian army, Dokturov and Konovnitsyn, who are never given much praise but who are indispensable to the army. Like all old people, Kutuzov has trouble sleeping at night. He spends those quiet hours reflecting on the war and strategy. A messenger comes in to give him news that Napoleon has left Moscow. He says, "Lord, my Creator! Thou hast heard our prayer. Russia is saved. I thank Thee, O Lord." Then...