In his Sevastopol Sketches, Tolstoy develops his ability to depict the reality of death within military conflict.

His proficiency stemmed from experience. Most notably, Tolstoy’s military service included three years in the Caucuses and action during the Crimean War (1853-56), both as a junior artillery officer.

During his time near Chechnya (north of Georgia and west of Dagestan), Tolstoy observed such brutal Russian tactics as punitive raids and the indiscriminate the shelling of small villages. He was also affected by the burning of forests to deny Chechens cover. This area hosts a Muslim population by reason of Ottoman influence. Russia has attempted to purge Chechens from what Russia claimed as a southern frontier multiple times and this area remains filled with tension – an inheritance of the aforementioned rivalry.

With respect to the Crimean War, in 1853, Czar Nicholas declared war on the Ottoman Empire, Russia’s historical rival. Nicholas asserted the obligation to protect Christians in Ottoman territory and reasserted land-claims in the Danubian principalities. Russian leadership has long-wished to retake Istanbul (Constantinople), which was a center of Christianity for centuries.

Napoleon III was at the forefront of the response to the Czar’s ambitions in 1853. A coalition (Turks, French & English) united to neutralize Russian expansion and protect the balance of power in Europe. It was hardly lost on Tolstoy that Russia served as a similar bulwark against Napoleon I. Tolstoy lived through the great humiliation of losing of the Crimean War but immortalized one of Russia’s great triumphs (repelling Napoleon I in 1812), which makes the great influences on him A Tale of Two Napoleons.

A thread through The Sevastopol Sketches and War & Peace is that Tolstoy conveys war's horrific nature. He does not glorify the subject.

The Sketches involve three vignettes of the Siege: November of 1854, May of 1855; and August of 1855. It was late in the Summer of 1855 when Sevastopol finally fell after an 11-month attack.

The Sketches read like a novella. The first takes the reader on tour of Sevastopol – from the relative safety of a particular bay, through an infirmary, marketplace, and finally toward the front line. Notably, we are taken inside the Assembly Hall -- a make-shift hospital that is filled with causalities and disease. Tolstoy then depicts the activity of soldiers and citizens. He discusses merchants going about their trade as well as carriage drivers delivering goods and transporting the dead.

The second vignette delves into the senseless vanity of war and pursuit of truth, which Tolstoy describes as the hero of any effort. The last and longest story provides a view of the end of the Siege, through the eyes of fictional brothers. We are given a glimpse of the spectacle of incoming and outgoing artillery, the charges of the allies, and the valiant defense.

Amidst the Crimean war, Czar Nicholas died in March of 1855 and Alexander II took the throne, who hold the reputation of a reformer. There was societal reflection that so much of the fighting was done by serfs tied to the land. These serfs were exposed to ideas of freedom and nationhood and there was a national reckoning that their system could not stand. The serfs (over 20 million souls) were freed in 1861.

Tolstoy also proceeds on one of his great explorations - regarding the cause of historical events. He finds that people hold the ultimate power and are somehow (all at once), ready to be moved. This is opposed to the theory a few great leaders move men.

Lastly, the experience of the Crimean War transformed Tolstoy from traditional patriot to an everlasting dissident.

The 1790 Siege of Izmail is profiled as Tolstoy builds this experience into War &Peace characters who advanced to leadership roles, most notably General Kutuzov.

The Siege was led by General Alexander Suvorov against an Ottoman stronghold near the mouth of the Danube and along the northwest coast of the Black Sea. The Russian and Ottoman empires spent centuries fighting for influence in this area. The loss of Izmail was a factor in the Ottomans leaving the North Black Sea region. While the Turks withdrew, the Muslim population who remained evidence their legacy.

Kutuzov played a pivotal role in the Siege and was almost killed. He both trained and led a contingent of men across a formidable moat to approach the fortress. Once the walls were actually reached, improvised ladders were utilized by Cossack reserves. Kutuzov himself fell back on multiple occasions and persevered as bodies fell around him. Notably, Kutuzov did not captain from the back -- but was in the thick-of-it as much as anybody. His generalship contributed to his rise in rank. He proved he could lead men to victory, even when they faced the gravest of odds.

Throughout the ordeal, the invaders took tremendous casualties from cannon fire. Once Izmael was breached, the Russians unleashed a savagery whose reputation has endured.

The War of the Third Coalition (1805) was a monumental loss for Russian forces, while the Siege (1790) was moment of national triumph, which was immortalized in poetry and song, including “Let the Thunder of Victory Rumble.” Tolstoy notably describes the fictional Timokhin (who led a mad charge against Murat’s attack at Shöngrabern) as a veteran of Izmail

It is the character of the men at Izmail (both brave and savage) that Tolstoy is trying to extoll, which would have been more apparent to late 19th century readers.

The infantry regiments caught unaware scattered in the woods amidst the French assault. Soldiers shouted, “Cut off!” - a most dangerous sentiment. “Surrounded?! We’re lost!” was the collective reply.

The General realized something that he, an officer of 22 years, would be held responsible. He forgot his standoff with the cavalry colonel. Tolstoy notes, “The moment of moral conviction, which decides the fate of battles had arrived. Would his soldiers attend to the desperate voice of their commander or continue their flight?” Despite his shouts, the soldiers continued to run about in a panic.

Nevertheless, there was a sea-change! The French disappeared as a special unit emerged from the woods -- Timokhin’s company, filled with sharpshooters.

Timokhin was previously singled out by Kutuzov for his participation in the Siege of Izmail in 1790. He recalled Timokhin had a penchant for drinking but was a good man. Tushin and Timokhin are fictional, but symbolic to how the Battle of Shöngrabern was a success. Timokhin, brandishing a sword, rushed at the enemy with such a mad determination, it inspired the rest.

His behavior was reminiscent of the historic Siege, which has honorable and horrific aspects. The effort repelled the Ottomans from a critical position. After taking heavy casualties, Russian forces rampaged the City. Many were raped and executed. The massacre troubled Kutuzov’s soul.

The story turns to Dólokhov, who also possessed the fighting spirt that repelled the French. Dólokhov, running beside Timokhin, killed a Frenchman and seized a surrendering officer – who he dragged to a superior. Dolokhov brazenly approached his commander. “The whole company can bear witness. I beg you will remember this!” Dólokhov then untied his handkerchief and exhibited his wound.

The story moves to Tushin’s battery. Critical support had been moved yet this battery continued firing. The French could not surmise anyone would fire from such an undefended position.

The French eventually countered but Tushin was absorbed in the task before him and his artilleryman admired his resolve. In a childlike glee, the men only noticed when balls fell among them, tearing apart both men and horses. The horses were replaced and wounded carried off, as their four guns turned against ten. Tushin’s companion officer had been killed and 17 of 40 from the battery were casualties. Still they were merry.

Tushin was in a feverish delirium. It seemed so long ago since he fired the first shot. He regarded the corner of the field he stood as familiar. He gave his guns nicknames. “Matvévna, dear old lady, don’t let me down!” He imagined himself as a god throwing cannon balls. Around him, his crew bustled; and they all looked at Tushin as a father.

Suddenly a voice of a staff officer yelled out: “Captain Tushin! Are you mad? You have twice been ordered to retreat...”

Tushin was taken out of the zone. A cannon ball caused the officer to duck. As he galloped off – he shouted “Retire! All to retire!”

A moment later, Prince Andrei arrived. As one ball after another landed, he felt a shudder. He delivered the order and tried to have the guns taken. Andrei and Tushin did not speak -- as both were busy securing the only two working cannons on a cart and moving them down a hill.

Andrei then told Tushin. “Well, till we meet again...” holding out his hand. “Good-bye, my dear fellow,” replied Tushin. “Dear Soul! Good-bye, my dear fellow!” and tears suddenly filled Tushin's eyes.