Austrian General Mack is defending Ulm from Napoleon's army. When the Prince of Liechtenstein arrives at Napoleon's headquarters to negotiate terms on Mack's behalf, Napoleon considers it to be a conspiracy on the part of the rulers of Europe and is intent on Mack's total surrender. The Russian army, led by Marshall Kutuzov, are called on by an Austrian emissary to provide support for Mack, but Mack surrenders before it is offered. Among the Russian troops are Nikolai Rostov and his squadron commander Denisov; both are desperate to see some action, but news arrives that they are to withdraw from the area. The French take Vienna and the Russian rearguard, under Prince Bagration, is charged with taking the full weight of their impending attack until the main force can get into position....