When News Becomes Truth — War and Peace

Anna Pavlovna's presentiment was fulfilled. Next day, during the service at the palace church in honour of the Emperor's birthday, Prince Volkonski was called out and received a dispatch from Kutuzov, written from Tatarinova on the day of the battle. Kutuzov wrote that the Russians had not retreated a step, that French losses were much heavier, and that he was writing in haste from the field before collecting full information. It followed that there must have been a victory. Without leaving the church, thanks were rendered to the Creator. All that morning a joyously festive mood reigned in the city. Some even spoke of Napoleon's capture, his deposition, and the choice of a new ruler for France.

At court, events group themselves round particular incidents. Pleasure rested as much on the news arriving on the birthday as on the victory itself. Russian losses named Tuchkov, Bagration, and Kutaysov, and the sad side centred on Kutaysov: everyone knew him, the Emperor liked him, he was young and interesting. What a wonderful coincidence, people said, just during the service, but what a loss. Prince Vasili boasted with a prophet's pride that he had always said Kutuzov was the only man capable of defeating Napoleon.

The next day no news arrived, and the mood grew anxious. Courtiers suffered because the Emperor suffered in suspense. Fancy the Emperor's position, they said, and instead of extolling Kutuzov they condemned him as the cause of that anxiety. Prince Vasili remained silent when the commander in chief was mentioned. Towards evening a terrible piece of news was added. Countess Helene Bezukhova had suddenly died of that malady it had been so agreeable to mention. Officially everyone said angina pectoris. In intimate circles it was said that the Queen of Spain's physician had prescribed small doses of a certain drug; Helene, tortured because the old count suspected her and because her husband, that wretched profligate Pierre, had not replied to her letter, had taken a very large dose and died in agony. Prince Vasili and the old count turned on the Italian, who produced such letters from the deceased that they dropped the matter. Talk centred on three melancholy facts: the Emperor's lack of news, the loss of Kutaysov, and Helene's death.

On the third day after Kutuzov's report a country gentleman arrived from Moscow, and news of the surrender spread through the town. Kutuzov was a traitor. Paying visits of condolence, Prince Vasili said it was impossible to expect anything else from a blind and depraved old man. As long as the news remained unofficial it could be doubted. The next day a communication came from Count Rostopchin: Kutuzov's adjutant had brought a letter demanding police officers to guide the army to the Ryazan road; he was regretfully abandoning Moscow; Russia would shudder; Rostopchin would follow the army and weep over his fatherland. The Emperor sent Prince Volkonski to Kutuzov with a rescript: since 29 August he had received no communication, yet on 1 September he had heard via Yaroslavl that Moscow was to be abandoned; Volkonski was to hear the situation of the army and the reasons for this melancholy decision.