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

Sources:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=68

http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/october14.html

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on October 24, 1914. He telegrammed a reply the next day.

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo, Oct. 24-th 1914
My own precious Darling,
Well we got through everything alright in town. Tatiana had her Committee which lasted 1½ hour; she joined us at my Krestov. Red Cross Station, where I went with Olga after the supply store. Lots of people were working in the Winter Palace and many came to fetch work and others to bring back their finished things. I saw the wife of a Dr. there, who just had a letter from her husband from Kovel, where he is in a military hospital, where they have very little linnen and nothing to dress the men in, when they leave the hospital. So I quickly told them to put lots of linnen and warm undergarments to send to Kovel and a biggish Image of Christ painted on linnen (and brought as a gift to the store) as its a little Jewish town and they have no Image in their hospital which is in barracks. I wonder how you spend your days and evenings and what your plans are. Our Friend was very pleased we went to Luga and in sisters dresses and wants me to go about more and not to wait for your return to go to Pskov, so I shall spin off again, only this time must tell the Governor I suppose, as its a bigger town — but that makes it always shyer work. I shall take then linnen with me to the military hospital which Marie said needed things, or send it after. — There were many wounded at the Red Cross Station to-day, one officer had been 4 days in Olga's hospital and said there was not such a second sister. Some men had very serious wounds. They had mostly been wounded near Suvalki, or been lying since some time at Dvinsk. — We read the discription of your visit to Minsk in the papers; I received a wire from the Governor thanking for the Images and gospels you had left there from me. — Now I must try and sleep, which I do very badly all these nights — cannot get off to sleep before 3 or 4. Goodnight my Sunshine, I bless and kiss you as tenderly and lovingly as is only possible. —

25-th. Goodmorning my love! I slept much better this night, only need to begin more heartdrops I feel, as chest and head ache. Thermometer is on zero this morning. — Ania is in excellent spirits this time. — Our Friend intends leaving for home about the 5-th and wishes to come to us this evening. Paul has asked to take tea and Fred. to see me, so we will lunch and then we have to go to the consecration of the hospital in the »Mixed Regiment«, which has got already wounded out of M. and A.'s hospital, who were already better and had to leave to give place for severely wounded. — Now must get up and dress for the hospital — and place candles at Znamenia before.

God bless and keep you, my Treasure. Have no time for more. Kisses without end. Ever your own old
Wify.

The girls kiss you fondly. — Our love to N. P.

Nicholas's reply telegram:

Telegram.
Stavka 24 October, 1914.
Many thanks for letter and magazine. Yesterday I watched with pleasure the regiment of Hussars and their distribution. To-day am inspecting two hospitals of wounded and the Cavalry Guards. Unfortunately had no time to write. I am going for 24 hours to Kholm and Sedletz. Am returning on the 27th in the morning. I hope you are well. Embrace all tenderly.
Nicky.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Above: Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.

Above: Grigori Rasputin, whom Alexandra and her children called "Our Friend".