Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated September 23, 1914, and his telegrammed reply, dated September 24, 1914

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on September 23, 1914. He replied via telegram the next day.

Sources:

http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letterstsaritsa/september14.html

http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/september14.html

The letter:

Tsarskoe Selo, 23rd Sept. 1914

My own beloved Darling,
I was so sorry not to be able to write to you yesterday, but my head ached hideously & I lay all the evening in the dark. In the morning we went to the Grotto church for half of the service & it was lovely; I had been before to see Baby! Then we fetched the Pss. G. at Ania's.

My head already ached & I can't take any medecins now, neither for the heart. We worked from 10-1, as there was an operation wh. lasted long.

After luncheon I had Schulenburg who left again to-day, as Rennenkampf told him to hurry back. Then I came up to kiss Baby & went down & lay on my bed till tea-time, after wh. I received Sandra Schouvalov's otriad, after wh. to bed with a splitting headache. Ania was offended I did not go to her, but she had lots of guests, & our Friend for three hours. The night was not famous & I feel my head all day — heart enlarged — generally I take drops 3 or 4 times a day, as otherwise I could not keep up, & now I can't these days. — I read Doklady in bed & got on to the sopha for luncheon. Then received the couple Rebinder from Kharkhov they have my stores there & she had come from Vilna where she had been to bid goodbye to her brother Kutaissov. He showed her the Image I had sent the battery from Baby & it looked already quite used it seems they daily have it out for prayers & before every battle they pray before it — so touching. —

Then I came to Baby & lay near him in the half dark whilst Vlad. Nik. was reading to him, now they are playing together, the girls too, we have had tea up here too. — The weather is bright, in the night almost frost. —

Thank God the news continues being good & the Prussians retire. The mud hunted them away. Mekk writes that there are a good many cases of cholera & dissentry in Lvov but they are taking sanitary measures. — There have been difficult moments there, according to the papers; but I trust there won't be anything serious — one cannot trust those Poles — after all we are their enemies & the Catholics must hate us. — I shall finish in the evening, can't write much at a time. — Sweet Angel, soul & heart are ever with you.

I am writing on Anastasia's paper, Baby kisses you very much — he has no pains at all, lies, because the knee is still swollen, do hope he can be up then by your return. — I got a letter from old Mme Orlova, to whom Ivan wrote that he wants to continue the military service after war — he told me as much too — he is Flyer Orlov, 20th Corps, active Army — he received the St. George's cross, has the right to another decoration, but perhaps he might receive the grade of praporstchik (or podporoutchik). He did his "reconnoitring under heavy fire of the enemy" — one day he flew alone particularly high up & the cold was so intense, he did not know what to do — the hands freezing — machine stopped working — he did not care what would become of him, so numbed he felt — then he began praying & all of a sudden the machine went off working again alright. When it pours they cannot fly so sleep & sleep. Plucky boy to fly so often alone — what nerves one needs; indeed his father would have been proud of him therefore the Grandmama asks for him. — I write abominably to-day, but my brain is tired & heavy. —

Oh my sweetheart, what an intense joy it was when your precious letter was brought to me, & I thank you for it from all my heart. It was good of you writing — I read parts of it to the girls & Ania, who had been permitted to come to dinner & remained till 10 1/2. How interesting it must all have been. — Rouzsky for sure was deeply moved that you made him general adj. Won't Agooweeone* be happy you wrote! He has no more pain, thank God. You are probably now off in the train again — but how short you remain with Olga. What a recompense to the brave garrison of Ossowetz if you go there; — perhaps of Grodno, if some troops are still residing there. — Schulenburg saw the lancers, their horses are completely done up, the backs sore to blood — hours in the saddle — & their legs quite weak. As the train stood near Vilna several of the officers came & slept change about several hours on his bed, & they enjoyed this luxury of a train-bed even, & to find a real W.C. was exquisite joy to them, Kniaievitch did not want to come out any more he was so comfortable there! (this Sch's wife related to Ania).

And beloved huzy misses his little Wify! And do I not you too! But I have the nice family to cheer me up. — Do you go into my compartment sometimes? Please give Fred. many kind messages. Have you spoken to Feodorov about the military students & Drs? No telegram from you to-day, that means that you did nothing in particular, I suppose.

Now my own sweetest one my Nicky dear, I must be trying to sleep & lay this letter out to be taken at 8 1/2. —

I had no more ink in my pen, so had to take another. Goodbye, my Angel, God bless & protect you & bring you safe & sound back again. Every possible tender kiss & caress fr. yr. foundly loving & truly devoted little Wify. Ania thanks for your message & sends much love.

Nicholas's telegram reply:

Telegram. Brest. 24 September, 1914.
Am very grateful for news. Was so glad to see Olga in Rovno. Inspected her hospital and the local one, Not many wounded left. The weather is cold, bad. Embrace all closely.
Nicky

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Above: Alexei.

Above: Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, Nicholas's sister and Alexandra's sister-in-law.

Note: Agooweeone was another nickname for Alexei.