A close look at historical events, writes Tolstoy, shows us that the heroes of history are controlled by the actions of the multitudes. By showing various incidents of this part of the war occurring through freak happenings (he cites the battle of Tarutino occurring because a Cossack, hunting rabbits, happened upon the French encampment), Tolstoy attributes error to most historians who say Kutuzov is responsible for this or that, or Napoleon's"genius" caused this or that to happen.
Tolstoy describes the secure position of the French army who, with twice the manpower of the Russians, have all the wealth and supplies of Moscow to draw upon if they wish to attack the Russian forces. Despite these obvious advantages, the French neither seek out the Russians nor reserve winter supplies. It is clear, says Tolstoy, that the French themselves do the most damage to their cause, and Napoleon's"genius" cannot prevail over the inevitable course of events.
With the pretext of punishing the Russian army for defeating the French at Tarutino, Napoleon leaves a small garrison in Moscow and orders the army to depart. This simple maneuver begins the headlong flight of the Grande Armée out of Moscow. The army is overloaded with trains of booty-laden wagons — Napoleon has his own collection of treasure — and despite his past experiences, Bonaparte refrains from having the booty burned. Moreover, the army takes the same route out of Moscow as it had entered it, passing again through lands and towns devastated and pillaged and lacking sustenance for the men and horses. Tolstoy says the army is now like a stampeding herd of cattle, trampling its own necessities and approaching nearer to ruin. Napoleon is like a child sitting in the carriage who fancies he is moving it by pulling on the straps. In reality, Tolstoy says, Napoleon is led by his army, which acts in the blind panic of a wounded beast heading straight for the hunter with the gun.
