Until it was reformed under the 1917 Bolshevik Revolution, the Russian Calendar adhered to the Julian Calendar, while the rest of Europe followed the Gregorian Calendar (hint: if you’re reading this, you probably follow the Gregorian Calendar, when it’s December 15; it’s December 2 according to the Julian Calender). So, the dates in 19th-century Russia were actually twelve days later than events listed in the European calendar. Dates according to the Russian/Julian Calender are indicated as Old Style (OS) while dates according to the European/Gregorian Calendar are rendered as New Style (NS).
Principal Events in War and Peace
(OS) 1805
11 Oct. Kutuzov inspects regiment near Braunau. Le malheureux Mack arrives.
23 Oct. The Russian army crosses the Enns.
24 Oct. Fight at Amstetten.
28 Oct. The Russian army crosses the Danube.
30 Oct. Defeats Mortier at Dürrenstein.
4 Nov. Napoleon writes to Murat from Schönbrunn. Battle of Schön Grabern.
19 Nov. The Council of War at Ostralitz.
20 Nov. Battle of Austerlitz.
1807
7 Jan. Battle of Preussisch-Eylau.
2 June Battle of Friedland.
13 June The Emperors meet at Tilsit.
1812
17 May Napoleon leaves Dresden.
12 June Napoleon crosses the Niemen and enters Russia.
14 June Alexander sends Balashev to Napoleon.
13 July The Pavlograd hussars in action at Ostrovna.
4 Aug. Alpatych at Smolensk hears distant firing.
5 Aug. Bombardment of Smolensk.
7 Aug. Prince Nikolai Bolkonsky leaves Bald Hills for Bogucharovo.
8 Aug. Kutuzov appointed Commander-in-Chief.
10 Aug. Prince Andrei’s column abreast of Bald Hills.
17 Aug. Kutuzov reaches Tsarevo-Zaymishche and takes command of the army. Nikolai Rostov rides to Bogucharovo.
24 Aug. Battle of the Shevardino Redoubt.
26 Aug. Battle of Borodino.
PLACE NAMES PRONOUNCIATION
(as always, stressed syllables are indicated with an acute accent)
Boguchárovo
Borodinó
Málo-Yaroslávets
Mytíshchi
Ryazán
Shevárdino
Smolénsk
Torzhók
Vorónezh
Vyázma
The next (and final) installment of War & Preamble will be the Introduction from the 2010 edition, sent out on Dec. 22 (NS). The Introduction is optional, you’re welcome to read it in the place of an afterword, or not read it at all. Whatever floats your boat :)
see you jan 1st!
love from kit (and tolstoy’s ghost)