Book Fifteen: 1812-13 - Chapter XI

by Leo Tolstoy

　　Next day the field marshal gave a dinner and ball which theEmperor honored by his presence. Kutuzov had received the Order of St.George of the First Class and the Emperor showed him the highesthonors, but everyone knew of the imperial dissatisfaction with him.The proprieties were observed and the Emperor was the first to setthat example, but everybody understood that the old man wasblameworthy and good-for-nothing. When Kutuzov, conforming to a customof Catherine's day, ordered the standards that had been captured to belowered at the Emperor's feet on his entering the ballroom, theEmperor made a wry face and muttered something in which some peoplecaught the words, "the old comedian."

　　The Emperor's displeasure with Kutuzov was specially increased atVilna by the fact that Kutuzov evidently could not or would notunderstand the importance of the coming campaign.

　　When on the following morning the Emperor said to the officersassembled about him: "You have not only saved Russia, you have savedEurope!" they all understood that the war was not ended.

　　Kutuzov alone would not see this and openly expressed his opinionthat no fresh war could improve the position or add to the glory ofRussia, but could only spoil and lower the glorious position thatRussia had gained. He tried to prove to the Emperor theimpossibility of levying fresh troops, spoke of the hardshipsalready endured by the people, of the possibility of failure and soforth.

　　This being the field marshal's frame of mind he was naturallyregarded as merely a hindrance and obstacle to the impending war.

　　To avoid unpleasant encounters with the old man, the naturalmethod was to do what had been done with him at Austerlitz and withBarclay at the beginning of the Russian campaign- to transfer theauthority to the Emperor himself, thus cutting the ground from underthe commander in chief's feet without upsetting the old man byinforming him of the change.

　　With this object his staff was gradually reconstructed and itsreal strength removed and transferred to the Emperor. Toll,Konovnitsyn, and Ermolov received fresh appointments. Everyone spokeloudly of the field marshal's great weakness and failing health.

　　His health had to be bad for his place to be taken away and given toanother. And in fact his health was poor.

　　So naturally, simply, and gradually- just as he had come from Turkeyto the Treasury in Petersburg to recruit the militia, and then tothe army when he was needed there- now when his part was played out,Kutuzov's place was taken by a new and necessary performer.

　　The war 1812, besides its national significance dear to everyRussian heart, was now to assume another, a European, significance.

　　The movement of peoples from west to east was to be succeeded by amovement of peoples from east to west, and for this fresh waranother leader was necessary, having qualities and views differingfrom Kutuzov's and animated by different motives.

　　Alexander I was as necessary for the movement of the peoples fromeast to west and for the refixing of national frontiers as Kutuzov hadbeen for the salvation and glory of Russia.

　　Kutuzov did not understand what Europe, the balance of power, orNapoleon meant. He could not understand it. For the representativeof the Russian people, after the enemy had been destroyed and Russiahad been liberated and raised to the summit of her glory, there wasnothing left to do as a Russian. Nothing remained for therepresentative of the national war but to die, and Kutuzov died.