https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=81
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/november14.html
Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on November 23, 1914. He sent a telegram in reply the next day.
The letter:
Tsarskoje Selo, Nov. 23nd 1914, Sunday
My own beloved Darling,
We returned here safely at 9¼, found the little ones well and cheery. The girls have gone to Church — I am resting, as very tired, slept so badly both nights in the train — this last we tore simply, so as to catch up an hour. Well, I shall try to begin from the beginning. — We left here at 9, sat talking till 10, and then got into our beds. Looked out at Pskov and saw a sanitary train standing — later one said we passed also my train, which reaches here to-day at 12½. Arrived at Vilna at 10¼ — Governor and military, red cross officials at station, I cought sight of 2 sanitary trains, so at once went through them, quite nicely kept for simple ones — some very grave cases, but all cheery, came straight from battle. Looked at the feeding station and ambulatory. — From there in shut motors driven (I was just interrupted, Mitia Den came to say goodbye) to the Cathedral where the 3 Saints lie, then to the Image of the Virgin, (the climb nearly killed me) — a lovely face the Image has (a pitty one cannot kiss it). Then to the Polish Palace hospital — an immense hall with beds, and on the scene the worst cases and on the gallery above officers — heaps of air and cleanly kept. Everywhere in both towns one kindly carried me up the stairs which were very steep. Everywhere I gave Images and the girls too. — Then to the hospital of the red cross in the Girls gymnasium, where you found the nurses pretty — lots of wounded — Verevkin's both daughters as nurses. His wife could not show herself, as their little boy has a contagious illness; his aids wife replaced her. No acquaintances anywhere. The nurses sang the hymn, as we put on our cloaks; the Polish ladies do not kiss the hand. Then off to a small hospital for officers (where Malama and Ellis had layn before). There one officer told Ania he had seen me 20 years ago at Simferopol, had followed our carriage on a bicycle and I had reached him out an apple (I remember that episode very well) such a pitty he did not tell me — I remember his young face 20 years ago, so could not recognise him. From there back to the station we could not go to more, as the 2 sanitary trains had taken time. Valuyev wanted me to see their hospital in the woods, but it was too late. Artsimovitch turned up at the station thinking I would go to a hospital where sisters from his government were. I lunched and dined always on my bed. At Kovno the charming commandant of the fortress (no Governor counts there now, as it is the active front) and military authocraties, some officers, Shirinsky and Stchepotiev stood there too. The others had been just sent out to town expeditions, close to Thorn to blow up a bridge and the other place I forget, such a pitty to have missed them. Voronov, we passed at Vilna in the street. Again off in motors, flying along to the Cathedral (from Vilna we let know we were coming) — carpet on the stairs, trees in pots out, all electric lamps burning in the Cathedral, and the Bishop met us with a long speach. Short a Te Deum, kissed the miraculous Image of the Virgin and he gave me one of St. Peter and St. Paul, after whom the Church is named — he spoke touchingly of us »the sisters of mercy« and called wify a new name, »the mother of mercy«, Then to the red cross, simple sisters, skyblue cotton dresses — the eldest sister, a lady just come there, spoke to me in English, had been a sister 10 years ago and seen me there, as my old friend Kirejev had asked me to receive her. Then to another little wing of the hospital in another street. Then to a big hospital about 300 in the bank — looked so strange to see the wounded amongst such surrounding of a former bank. One lancer of mine was there. Then we went to the big military hospital, tiny service and wee speech. Lots of wounded and 2 rooms with Germans, talked to some. From there to the station, on the platform stood the companies (I had begged for them, I must confess), so difficult to recognise them, and not many acquaintances, you saw them. Simonin looked a dear. The boatswain of the »Peterhof« with the St. George's cross — all well, Shirinsky too looks well. The Commandant is such a nice simple kind, not fussy man. Begged me to send still 3000 Images by our sailors at a fortress-station, they dressed as soldiers, we as nurses, stopped and looked at the feeding station and barracks hospitals at station and service in wee Church. Some heavy cases. The Livland committee — (Pss. Schetvertinskaya at the head, her property is close by), the daugther as nurse. — At 2 we stopped at a station, I discovered a sanitary train and out we flew, climbed into the boxcars. 12 men lying comfortably, drinking tea, by the light of a candle — saw all and gave Images — 400. An ill Priest too was there — »Zemsky« train, 2 sisters (not dressed as such) 2 brothers of mercy, 2 doctors and many sanitaries. I begged pardon for waking them up, they thanked us for coming, were delighted, cheery, smiling and eager faces. So we were an hour late and cought it up in the night, so that I was rocked to and fro, and feared we should capsize.
So now I saw Irina, after which must meet my Sanitary train. Ella arrives to morrow evening. God bless and protect you — no news from you since Friday. Very tenderest, fondest kisses from your very own old wify
Sunny.
Victoria sends love, living Kent House Isle of Wight.
Messages to N. P.
Nicholas's telegrammed reply:
Telegram.
Stanichnaia. 24 November, 1914.
Have spent three happy hours at Ekaterinodar. Thanks for telegram. I remember about Olga. Embrace you all closely.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.
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