Unable to restrain his troops, Kutuzov unwillingly fights at Vyazma and his troops race after the fleeing French with their pursuit exacting a terrible toll of men and horses. All Kutuzov wishes to do is to follow the enemy and"see them off," but his ambitious generals, anxious to distinguish themselves, order maneuvers and battles the men are not fit to carry out. The generals consider Kutuzov cowardly and incompetent and senile.
Kutuzov was the only leader who judged the events of the war accurately, Tolstoy reminds us. He persisted in calling Borodino a victory, recognized that losing Moscow did not mean losing Russia, and correctly assessed the driving power of his army's spirit. He exerted his powers as commander-in-chief not to kill and maim men but to save them and have mercy on them. His simplicity and greatness is of a different nature from that of the"strutting, vain" figure of Napoleon whom history considers great.
After Vyazma, after the long chase, Kutuzov addresses the troops and tells them Russia is delivered."We will see our visitors off, then we will rest," he says, counseling them to have pity on their frostbitten and starving prisoners, for they are men too.
As the French retreat faster and more helplessly than ever, Kutuzov's lack of aggression wins him more disfavor. The sub-commanders openly mock him and treat him as if he were senile. Clearly Kutuzov's day is almost done. At Vilna, where the tsar gives him the highest honors and decorations, Kutuzov's career begins its ebb. Alexander gradually transfers his staff to himself and appoints a new commander; he wishes to carry on the war to liberate Europe and this is beyond Kutuzov's scope. His mission in life is completed with Russia restored to the highest pinnacle of her glory. Kutuzov has nothing left to do, except to pass on.
