The narrator believes that the French invasion of Russia in 1812 violates the normal rules of history. Historical theory holds that invaders conquer nations by winning the most battles and seizing the capital. In this case, however, though the French won numerous battles against the Russians and then occupied and burned down Moscow, the French lost 600,000 men while fleeing Russia during the winter. This demonstrates that victories in battle do not necessarily result in conquest. The spirit of its army saves Russia: Russians fight desperately and use every means necessary to defend their homeland. During the French retreat, the Russians practice guerilla warfare, they harrying and grinding down the departing French with numerous small-scale attacks. This strategy upends 19th-century rules of warfare and history—pockets of scattered troops overcome a large army.

Dolokhov and Denisov are both part of these guerilla units. They combine their units to attack a French transport, but a general sends them a message by courier—Petya Rostov, who has been promoted. Petya is eager to be involved in a battle and begs Denisov to allow him to take part in the attack rather than return to the general. Petya’s desperate desire to be a hero has already almost killed him during an earlier battle, but Petya pleads to be included, keen to fight alongside the famously courageous and cruel Dolokhov.