Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated October 25, 1914, and his telegrammed reply

Sources:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=69

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

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on October 25, 1914; he replied via telegram the next day.

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo, Oct. 25-th 1914
My own sweet Treasure,
Now you are off to Kholm and that will be nice and remind you of ten years ago. Loving thanks for your telegram — it was surely pleasant seeing your dear hussars, and the G. à Cheval in Reval. — After the hospital this morning we went into 2 private houses to see the wounded — always old patients of ours. Fredericks came to luncheon, really he had nothing to tell, brought several telegrams to show and looked pretty well. At ¼ to 2 we were at the barracks of the Mixed Regiment looked at the hospital arranged and had a Te Deum and blessed the rooms — the men looked very contented and the sun shone brightly upon them. From there we went to Pavlovsk, picked up Mavra who showed us over four hospitals. — Paul came to tea. He longs to go to the war, and so I am writing this to you with his knowledge, so as for you to think it over before you meet him again. All along he hoped you would take, but now he sees there is little chance, and to remain at home doing nothing drives him to exasperation. He would not like to go to Russky's staff as would be inconvenient, but if he might begin by going out to his former comrade Bezobrazov he would be delighted. Wont you speak this question over with Nikolasha? — Then we went to the evening service in the new Pestcherny Chapel under the existing one in the big Palace hospital. There was a Church there in Catherin's time; after that we sat with our wounded; many of them and all the nurses and ladies had been in Church. Gogoberidze the »Erivanetz« had just arrived. — Our Friend came for an hour in the evening; he will await your return and then go off for a little home. — He had seen M-me Muftizade who is in an awful state, and Ania was with her — it seems Lavrinovsky is ruining everything — sending off good Tartars to Turky and most unjust to all — so that they begged her to come to their Valideh to pour out their complaints, as they are truly devoted subjects. They would like Kniazhevitch to replace Lavrinovsky, and our Friend wishes me quickly to speak to Maklakov, as he says one must not waste time until your return. So I shall send for him, pardon my mixing in what does not concern me, but its for the good of the Crimea and then Maklakov can at once write a report to you to sign — if you cannot let Kniazhevitch leave the army now (tho' I think he would be of more use in the Crimea) then another must be found. I shall tell Maklakov that you and I spoke about Lavrinovsky already. He seems to be most brutal to the Tartars and its certainly not the moment when we have war with Turky to behave like that. Please don't be angry with me, and give me some sort of an answer by wire — that you »approve« or »regret« my mixing in — and whether you think Kniazhevitch a good candidate, it will quieten me; and I shall know how to speak to Masha Muftizade. — You remember he was angry she wished to see me about sending things to the regiment, and founded that Tartars must not show themselves in their dresses before us, and so on offending them constantly. He may do better in another government; I know Apraxin is of the same opinion, and was deeply grieved by the change he found. —

Its nearly one, must try and sleep. I saw Alia and husband at 10½, he joins Khan and Misha. —

26-th. We just returned from 2 hospitals, where saw wounded officers and the old Priest of your rifles from here, who got overtired and was sent back. — I enclose a letter from Olga for you to read (privately) and if you see her, can you give it back to her. I got another sweet letter from her to-day, so full of love, Dear Child, she does work so hard. Now, Loman's train (my name) will only be ready later, am so sorry. Wonder whether you will send for us anywhere, or whether we can get into Schulenburg's train, think he must return soon. — The weather is mild to-day and its gently snowing. Baby motored and then made a fire which he enjoyed. — The Children told you probably all about the Consecration of the Church (you must see it) and that we visited our officers afterwards. Egor gave me news you had seen him. — Thank God all goes so well in Turky — would that our fleet could have success. — I received M-me Kniazhevitch (wife lancer) who offered me money for 10 beds from my lancer ladies — and through her husband I got money from all the squadrons and shall get monthly too, to keep up 6 beds — too touching. —

Then M-me Dediulin came to thank for my note and you for the telegram which came so unexpected and touched her very deeply. —

Must end now my treasure. Goodbye and God bless you, sweetest, deeply missed one. I cover your precious face with tender kisses.
Ever your very own wife
Alix.

Our love to N. P.

Nicholas' telegram reply:

Telegram.
Brest. 26 October, 1914.
Spent the morning in Kholm; went to Mass and inspected a large Red Cross hospital. We passed Vlodava. The weather is calm, warm. I embrace you and the children closely.
Nicky.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.