: Uncle talks about the Battle of Borodino, in which he took part, and complains about the current generation.

The poem begins with a stanza on behalf of the narrator, followed by the memories of his uncle.

The nephew asks his uncle about the battle at the village of Borodino, in which he took part. A relative praises his generation, and resents the current:

Yes, there were people nowadays,
Not that the current tribe:
Heroes - not you!

Uncle talks about the battle. By order of the commanders, the Russian troops retreat, the old warriors are unhappy with this. Then they find a place for the final battle:

And they found a large field:
There is a walk where in the wild!
Built a redoubt.

The shootout lasts two days, but does not bring any results. For the third day, Russian troops have been inactive. The joy of the French has no limits:

And it was heard until dawn
As the Frenchman rejoiced.

In the morning, the colonel gives a speech, instilling confidence in the soldier in his victory. The battle of Borodino begins.

You can’t see such battles! ..
Banners ran like shadows
The fire shone in the smoke
Damask sounded, buckshot squealed,
Hand fighters prick tired
And the cores prevented flying
Mountain of bloody bodies.

The French will learn in their own skin what “Russian battle is distant” means.Russian soldiers are ready to stand to the end, but the French are retreating.

The drums cracked
And the Busurmans retreated.
Then we count wounds,
To consider comrades.