Prince Andrei and his pregnant wife (Lise) arrive Andrei’s father’s Smolensk estate known as “Bald Hills.” Andrei only plans to spend the night, as he is rushing toward the career path of his father, Nikolai, who performed a lifetime of (fictional) military service. Nikolai Bolkonsky (nicknamed “The King of Prussia”) is symbolic of the era of expansion and colonization under Catherine the Great.

West of Moscow, this involved partitions of Poland, which was split between Russia, Prussia and Habsburg-Austria. A good portion of the territory of modern Ukraine was moved from Polish to Russian influence. These partitions motivated many Poles to join Napoleon’s army. This period also involved Russians battling the Ottoman Empire, where Russia gained control of territory north of the Black Sea. The elder Bolkonsky would have internalized all this “glory.” With this epic age passing, Andrei is experiencing a new world ushered in by Napoleon, where Russia is on the precipice of major change. Tolstoy questions whether it is the man himself (Bonaparte) or the vast movement of men that created an inevitable new age. 

As Andrei arrived to the estate by horse-drawn-carriage, he could hear his sister practicing her clavichord. They are greeted by Mademoiselle Amelie Bourienne, who takes them to Marya, as her father is taking his afternoon nap. It is a warm meeting between sisters-in-law. They discuss the latest gossip and news in the big cities (like who is marrying who). Andrei stood by, the subject of his sister’s warm gaze.  Lise feels abandoned with her husband leaving for war, as she is progressing in her pregnancy. 

The house servant, old Tikhon, takes Andrei to his father, who is getting dressed for a formal meal. The old man sarcastically notes how his son is off to “conquer” Napoleon. Andrei then greets his father with a respectful kiss. They talk about the upcoming conflict with the General revealing what he has learned about the military Coalition against Napoleon. He speaks about who is leading the efforts and name drops a "General Tolstoy," who was likely an ancestor of the author. He asks his son to give his understanding of the overarching plan against Napoleon. Andrei notes that the strategy is that Russia intends to invade Prussia, to “convince” them to align -- a forced treaty. Some units will also unite with Sweden (already an ally). it is expected that 220,000 Austrians and 100,000 Russians will operate in Italy and the Rhine. Other forces, including the English, will land in Naples. In total, the Coalition will be 500,000 strong in a simultaneous attack. The Old General astutely responds that Napoleon surely has a plan of his owe -- and his demeanor implies that it is likely better. He then sings himself a nursery song about a men who go off to war, while family awaits news of their fate. He sings: “Malbrough s'en va-t-en guerre" written after the battle of Malplaquet in France in 1709, during the war of Spanish Succession. It is about the supposed death of the Duke of Marlborough – John Churchill. It has a similar structure as “For He's a Jolly Good Fellow.” Napoleon is rumored to have sung the song to himself on occasion.