<P> Napoleon himself is the main character in this section, and the novel presents him in vivid detail, both personally and as both a thinker and would - be strategist . Also described are the well - organized force of over 400,000 French Army (only 140,000 of them actually French - speaking) that marches through the Russian countryside in the late summer and reaches the outskirts of the city of Smolensk . Pierre decides to leave Moscow and go to watch the Battle of Borodino from a vantage point next to a Russian artillery crew . After watching for a time, he begins to join in carrying ammunition . In the midst of the turmoil he experiences first - hand the death and destruction of war; Eugène's artillery continues to pound Russian support columns, while Marshals Ney and Davout set up a crossfire with artillery positioned on the Semyonovskaya heights . The battle becomes a hideous slaughter for both armies and ends in a standoff . The Russians, however, have won a moral victory by standing up to Napoleon's reputedly invincible army . The Russian army withdraws the next day, allowing Napoleon to march on to Moscow . Among the casualties are Anatole Kuragin and Prince Andrei . Anatole loses a leg, and Andrei suffers a grenade wound in the abdomen . Both are reported dead, but their families are in such disarray that no one can be notified . </P> <P> The Rostovs have waited until the last minute to abandon Moscow, even after it is clear that Kutuzov has retreated past Moscow and Muscovites are being given contradictory instructions on how to either flee or fight . Count Rostopchin, the commander in chief of Moscow, is publishing posters, rousing the citizens to put their faith in religious icons, while at the same time urging them to fight with pitchforks if necessary . Before fleeing himself, he gives orders to burn the city . The Rostovs have a difficult time deciding what to take with them, but in the end, Natasha convinces them to load their carts with the wounded and dying from the Battle of Borodino . Unknown to Natasha, Prince Andrei is amongst the wounded . </P> <P> When Napoleon's Grand Army finally occupies an abandoned and burning Moscow, Pierre takes off on a quixotic mission to assassinate Napoleon . He becomes anonymous in all the chaos, shedding his responsibilities by wearing peasant clothes and shunning his duties and lifestyle . The only people he sees are Natasha and some of her family, as they depart Moscow . Natasha recognizes and smiles at him, and he in turn realizes the full scope of his love for her . </P> <P> Pierre saves the life of a French officer who fought at Borodino, yet is taken prisoner by the retreating French during his attempted assassination of Napoleon, after saving a woman from being raped by soldiers in the French Army . </P>

Why is there so much french in war and peace