Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated November 20, 1914, and his telegrammed reply

Sources:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=77

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

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on November 20, 1914. He sent a telegram in reply the next day.

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914
My own beloved Nicky dear,
There is a belated gnat flying round my head whilst I am writing to you. — Well, I went to the big Palace to that poor boy's dressing, and somehow it seems to me as tho' the border of the great bedsore wound were getting firmer — the P-ss did not find the tissue too dead looking. She looked at the rifle's leg and finds one ought at once to take it off before it is too late, and it must be done very high. Vladimir Nikolaievitch and Eberman find one must first try another operation of the veins ancurism and if that does not help, then take the leg off. His family want some celebrity to consult — but all are away except Zeidler, who could not come before Friday. I am going to have a talk still with B. v. Huk — the evening I read Rost's papers till 10 o'clock. Before dinner I received Mme Zizi and then I got a nap. Ania wants us to go off to Kovno, as we cannot menage the Sanitary train this time, to our regret, and Vojeikov's joy. But that means also Vilna. I cant pass without stopping there. The children like that idea, as hope to see our »friends« — she says there are heaps of wounded there. Ella arrived Monday — really don't know what to do — wish you were here to ask and this letter will reach you only Saturday at earliest, and then we ought to be off. I shall think it over still. Am so tired and don't much care to go off now, and then here is much work and our Children, whom I must leave on the first. But perhaps it would be good to go there. Ania wants change and »Dr. Armia« as she always says. Dearest Beloved — I kiss yr. cushion morn and evening and bless it and long for its treasured master. — I enclose a postcard of us at Dvinsk. I think it might amuse you to have for yr. album. Its quite mild weather. Baby is going in his motor and then Olga who is now walking with Ania, will take him to the big palace to see the officers, who are impatient for him. I am too tired to go and we have at 5¼ an amputation (instead of lecture) in the big hospital. This morning we were present (I help as always, giving the instruments and Olga threaded the needles) at our first big amputation (whole arm was cut off) then we all had dressings (in our small hospital) very serious ones in the big hospital. — I had wretched fellows with awful wounds...., scarcely a »man« any more, so shot to pieces, perhaps it must be cut off as so black, but hope to save it — terrible to look at. I washed and cleaned, and painted with iodine and smeared with vaseline and tied them up and bandaged all up — it went quite well and I feel happier to do the things gently myself under the guidance of a Dr. — I did three such — and one had a little tube in it. Ones heart bleeds for them — I wont describe any more details, as its so sad, but being a wife and mother I feel for them quite particulary — a young nurse (girl) I sent out of the room — Mlle Annenkov is already older — the young doctor so kind — Ania looked on so cooly, quite hardened already, as she says — she astonishes me with her ways constantly — nothing of the loving gentle woman like our girlies — she ties them up roughly when they bore her, goes away when she has had enough — and when little to do, grumbles. Sedigarov noticed that they already bore her — and she fidgets and hurrys one. — I am disappointed in her — must always have something new like Olga Evgenievna. At 4 she goes off to her sister instead of coming to the amputation, once we go — she might have spent the evening at her sister. P-ss Gedroitz said to me she soon noticed how A. does not care doing or knowing things à fond and she feared we might be so, but is grateful its not the case and that we do all thoroughly. Its not a play — she wanted and fidgeted for the cross, now she has it, her interest has greatly slakened — whereas we feel now doubly the responsability and seriousness of it all and want to give out all we can to all the poor wounded, with slight or serious wounds, equally lovingly. — Marie saw an officer of her regiment. — You will give N. P. our love please, and tell him the news we give you, as all we do interest's him. — My nose is full of hideous smells from those blood-poisoning wounds. — One of the officers in the big palace showed me German frabricated dum-dums, very long, narrow at the tip, red copper like things. — Me misses you, me wants a kiss badly. Lovy my child, I long for you, think and pray for you incessantly. Sweetest One, goodbye now and God bless and protect you.

I press you tenderly to my heart, kissing you fondly, and remain for ever your deeply loving own old wify,
Sunny.

The Children all kiss you. —

Nicholas's telegrammed reply:

Telegram.
Toula. 21 November, 1914.
Warmest thanks for both sweet letters. I advise you, if you are well, to go to K[ovno] and V[ilna]. This morning after church I visited a munition factory — very interesting, ten thousand workers. Now I am going to hospitals, there are about 40. I have no time to write here. I kiss and embrace all ardently.
Nicky.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Alexandra and Anna Vyrubova with their patients.

Above: Alexandra working on a patient with Princess Vera Gedroitz, her nursing instructor.

Above: Ella.

Above: Olga.

Above: Maria.

Above: Alexei.

Note: à fond = completely.