Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated September 24, 1914, and his telegram, dated September 25, 1914

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on September 24, 1914. Nicholas sent her a telegram the next day.

Sources:

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

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

The letter:

Tsarskoe Selo, Sept. 24-th 1914

My beloved Darling,
From all my heart I thank you for your sweet letter. Your tender words touched me deeply and warmed my lonely heart. I am deeply disappointed for you that one advises you not to go to the fortress — it would have been a real recompense to those wonderfully brave men. One says Ducky went there for the thanksgiving Te Deum and that she heard the cannons firing in the distance. — At Vilna there are many troops resting as the horses are so worn out, I hope you can see them, Olga wrote such a happy telegram after having seen you — dear child, she does work so bravely, and how many grateful hearts will carry home pictures of her bright sweet being into the ranks again and others home into their villages and her being your Sister will make the link yet stronger between you and the people. — I read such a pretty article out of an English paper — they praise our soldiers so much and say that their deep religiousness and veneration for their peace-loving monarch makes them fight so well and for a holy cause. — How utterly shameful that the Germans have shut the little Grand Duchess of Luxemburg in a castle near Nuremberg, — such an insult! —

Fancy only I got a little letter from Gretchen without signature or beginning, written in English and sent from England and the address written in another handwriting — I cannot imagine how she got it sent. —

Ania's leg is much better to-day, and I see she intends to be up for your return — I wish she had been well now and the leg next week bad, then we should have had some nice quiet evenings cosily to ourselves. We only went at 11 to the hospital, fetched the Pss. at Ania's. We assisted at 2 operations — she did them sitting, so as that I could give her the instruments sitting too. The one man was too amusing when he came to himself again in bed — he began singing away at the top of his voice and very well, and conducting with his hand, upon wh. I concluded he was a "Zapievalo" — and so he was most cheery and said he hoped he had not used rude language — he wishes to be a hero and soon go back again to the war as soon as his foot heals up again. — The other one smiled mischivously and said: "I was far, far away, I walked and walked, — It was nice over there. Almighty God, we were all together you don't know where I have been!" and thanking God and praising him — he must have seen wonderful sights whilst one was extricating the ball out of his shoulder. She did not let me bind up anyone, so as to keep quiet, as felt my head and heart.

After luncheon I lay in Baby's room till 5, Mr. G. read to him and I think I took a short nap. Then Alexei read 5 lines in French aloud, quite nicely. Then I received Uncle Mekk after wh. I flew for a half an hour with Olga to Ania's house, as our Friend spent the afternoon with her and wanted to see me. He asked after you and hoped you would go to the fortress. — Then we had our lecture with Pss. G. — After dinner the girls went to Ania where N. P. was and I followed her after prayers. We worked, she glued and he smoked. She is not over amiable these days and only thinks of herself and her comfort and makes others crawl under the table to arrange her leg on lots of cushions, and does not trouble her head whether others sit comfortably — spoilt and badly brought up. She has lots of people coming to see her all day long, so she has no time to be lonely, tho' when you return she will groan that she was wretched the whole time. — She is surrounded by several big photos of you enlarged ones of hers — in every corner and heaps of small ones. —

We dropped N. P. near the station and were home at 11. — I wanted to go to Church every day and only got there once, such a pitty, as it is such a help when the heart feels sad. We always place candles before we go to the hospital and I like to pray for God and the holy Virgin to bless the work of our hands and to let them bring healing to the ill. — I am so glad you are feeling better again, such a journey is beneficient, as you still feel yourself nearer to all and could see the chiefs and hear all from them directly and tell them your ideas. —

What joy for Keller — he really has deserved his cross and now he has repayed us for everything, it was his ardent wish all these years. — How deadtired the French and English troops must be, fighting without ceasing for 20 days or more. — And we have the big guns from Koenigsberg against us. Today Orlov sent no news, so I suppose nothing in particular has occurred.

To be away from all the petty talks must do you good — here there are such rumours always, and generally without foundation. — Poor old Fredericks, the other one, had died. How sad our poor old one got worse again.

I was so afraid it might happen again when out with you, and it would have been more delicate had he remained behind — but he is so deeply devoted to you, that he could not bear the idea of your going alone. I fear we shall not keep him long amongst us, his time is near at hand — what a loss it will be — there are no more such types to be found and such an honest friend is difficult to replace. — Sweetheart, I hope you sleep better now, I cannot say that of myself, the brain seems to be working all the time and never wanting to rest. Hundreds of ideas and combinations come bothering one. — I reread your dear letters several times and try to think it's Lovy speaking to me. Somehow we see so little of each other, you are so much occupied and one does not like to bother with questions when you are tired after your "doklady" and then we are never alone together. — But now I must try and get to sleep, so as to feel stronger to-morrow and be of more use. I thought I should do so much when you were away, and Bekker spoilt all my plans and good intentions. — Sleep well wee One, holy Angels guard your slumber and Wify's prayers and love surround you with deep devotion and love.

Nicholas's telegram:

Telegram.
Grodno Railway. 25 September 1914.
Have stopped in Bielostok all the same and visited Osovetz; found the garrison looking very well. Many projectiles have fallen into the fortress, one can see everywhere the funnels which they have made. I shall inspect hospitals in Vilna. To-morrow, God willing, we shall see each other. Hope all are well. Tender embraces.
Nicky

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Above: Anna Vyrubova.

Above: Alexandra in nursing uniform with patients.

Note: "Madame Bekker" (sometimes spelled Becker) was a euphemism used by Alexandra and her daughters to refer to their menstrual periods.