Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated November 19, 1914, and his telegrammed reply

Sources:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=75

http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/november14.html

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on November 19, 1914, and he sent a telegram in reply the next day.

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo, Nov. 19-th 1914
My very own beloved One,
Your letter was such an intense joy, consolation to me, God bless you for it and a thousand tender thanks. I love to read all the dear things you say, it warms me up because I cannot help feeling your absence greatly, the »thing« is missing in all the life of my home. I lunch now always on the sopha when we are alone. How lucky one has taken Rennenkampf away before you came, I am glad may they only find a good one instead — it wont be Mistchenko by any chance? He is so loved by the troops and a clever head, is he not? — One says the blue curassiers are enchanted to have my Arseniev and well they may be. — Really it was an excellent idea your arranging your stick for gymnastics — good excercise when you will be shut up for so long, except standing in hospitals which is horribly tiring. — At 9 Olga, Anastasia, Baby and I went off to his train. We have very heavy wounded this time, the train was at Sukhatchev, 6 versts from the battle, and the windows shook from the artillery. Aeroplanes were flying there and over Varsovie. Schulenburg says that the 13 and 14 Sib. were hideously afraid off all and thought God was with the Germans, not grasping what the aeropl. were and so on, and one could not get them to advance — all new troops, and not real Siberians. They have discovered our 6 motors of his train, which had disappeared since the 1-st — they are at Lodz only cant get away, otherwise may be taken, but they do still bring wounded. Lots came on foot now so have their lungs in a precarious state. Yagmin arrived (»Nizhegorodsky«) I get no news — in town one says it was bad yesterday — in the papers lots are white, not printed; — probably we retreated near Sukhatchev. Some of these wounded had been taken by the Germans and then ours got them after 4 days back again. Dear me what wretched wounds, I fear some are doomed men; — but I am glad we have them and can at least do all in our power to help them. — I ought to have gone now to see the rest, but am too awfully tired, as we had 2 operations besides, and at 4, I must go to the big palace, as I want the P—ss also to have a look at the poor boy, and an officer of the 2-nd rifles whose legs are already getting quite dark and one fears an amputation may be necessary. —

I was with the boy yesterday during his dressing awful to see, and he clung to me and kept quiet, poor child. — We have some heavy cases in the big Palace. —

It was grey and rainy yesterday and warm, this morning the sun shone, but its grey. A. has gone for a walk and then will come to me — she was in a disagreeable mood the whole evening, so I went to bed ad 11 — this morning she continued, but we succeeded in breaking her. Its doubly painful when one feels sad, and she pretends being the »chief mourner« before others. I keep up and talk — and she might do the same. She continues asking about the Feldjeger, I suppose intends writing — whether you have allowed it — I do not know. — Olga and Tatiana have gone to town to receive donations in the Winter-palace. — Boris is at Varsovie for a week, Schulenburg took him to wash and clean up, as he has the itch — well Miechen is in good time. — Yesterday we went also to the Children's hospital — sat with Nikolaiev and Lazarev. — A »Volynetz« officer lay in the train to-day — they have only 12 officers in the regiment and few men left. —

The Children all kiss you fondly, daily one of them will write, Marie has begun now. — Please give N. P. my love. — Did you hear whether »Giants« are wounded, there are such rumors from town. — Oh yes, it would indeed have been lovely to have gone together, but I think your journey to the Caucasus at such a time, is better undertaken alone — there are moments when we women must not exist. — Yes, God has helped me with my health and I keep up — tho' at times am simply deadtired — the heart aches and is enlarged — but my will is firm — anything only not to think. —

My Sweetheart, my very own Treasure, I must end now, the messenger leaves earlier to-day. —

When you return, you must give me my letters to number, as I have no idea how many I have written. Once more, endless thanks for your dear letter, which is very well written, tho' the train moved. —

I press you to my yearning breast, kiss all the dear places I so tenderly love. God bless you and guard you from all ill.

Ever Nicky my Angel, my own treasure, my Sunshine, my life —
your very own old
Wify.

Messages to Dmitri Sheremetiev.

Nicholas's reply telegram:

Telegram.
Dorogobuzh. 20 November, 1914.
Thanks for telegram. In Smolensk I thought of our stay in 1912. Visited four hospitals there. All are in excellent order. It is warm, still. In thought I am with you.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Above: Anna Vyrubova.

Above: Olga and Tatiana accepting donations.

Above: Maria and Anastasia.

Above: Alexei.

Note: verst = a Russian unit of length corresponding to a kilometer or a mile.