https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=78
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=79
http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/november14.html
Alexandra wrote these two letters to Nicholas on November 21, 1914, and he replied with a telegram two days later.
Alexandra's letters:
Tsarskoje Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
My Lovebird,
I don't want the Feldjeger to leave to-morrow without a letter from me. This is the wire I just received from our Friend. »When you comfort the wounded God makes His name famous through your gentleness and glorious work.« So touching and must give me strength to get over my shyness. — Its sad leaving the wee ones! —
Iza suddenly had 38 and pains in her inside, so Vladimir Nikolaievitch wont let her go. — Fullspeed we telephoned to Nastinka to get ready and come. —
We are taking parcels and letters from all the naval wives for Kovno.
We are eating, and the Children chattering like waterfalls, which makes it somewhat difficult to write. —
Now Light of my life, farewell. God bless and protect you and keep you from all harm. I do not know when and where this letter will reach you. — Blessings without end and fondest kisses from us all. Your very own
Sunny.
We all send messages to N. P. — and Dmitri Sheremetiev.
—
Tsarskoje Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
My own beloved Treasure,
Its nice that we were together at Smolensk 2 years ago (with C. Keller) so I can imagine where you were. Alexei's »committee« wired to me after you had been there to see them. I remember them giving Baby an Image at that famous tea there. — Still no news of the war through fat Orlov since you left. One whispers that Joachim has been taken by our troops — if so, where has he been sent to, I wonder. If true, one might have let Dona know through Vicky of Sweden that he is safe and sound (not saying where) but you know better, its not for me to advise you, its only a mother pittying another mother. —
I remained at home in the afternoon yesterday, and lay in bed before dinner, being dead-tired. The girls went to the hospital instead of me. After dinner I received Schulenburg rather long; he leaves Saturday again. The bombs were being thrown daily over Varsovie and everywhere and at night. Baby's train stuck an hour and ½ on the bridge (full of wounded, over 600) and could not get into the station (coming from Praga) on account of the other trains, and he feared every minute that they would be blown up. — Then I received Ressin — quick man — in an hour he settled all the plans, and we leave this evening at 9, reach Vilna Saturday morning at 10-15. — Then continue to Kovno 2.50-6, back Tsarskoje Selo Sunday morning at 9. Ressin only lets the Gov. of Vilna know, because of motors or carriages and he is not to tell on — from there he will let the Gov. at Kovno know (or its the same man). Ania has telephoned privately to Rodionov — I hope we may catch a glimpse of them somewhere. — A. is very proud she kept me from going to the hospital as tiring — but its her doing this expedition which is tiring — 2 nights in the train and 2 towns to visit hospitals — if we see the dear sailors, it will be a recompense. — I am glad we can manage it so quickly and wont be long away from the Children. — Excuse this dirty page, but I am quite ramolie and my head is weak, I even asked for a little wine. 100 questions, papers — beginning by Viltchkovsky in the hospital, every morning questions to answer, resolutions to be taken and so on — and my brain is not as strong or fresh as it was before my heart got so bad all these years. I understand what you feel like of a morning when one after the other come bothering you with questions. — At the hospital I received a »Khansha« who gave me M-me Mdivani motors and was going to send an unit for the Caucasian troops on the German frontier — now she asked my permission to change, and have it in the Caucasus where sanitary help is yet more deficient. — I could not get to sleep this night, so at 2 wrote to A. to tell her to let the naval wives know there is an occasion safely to forward letters or packets — then I sorted out booklets, gospels (1 Apostel), prayers to take for the sailors, goodies and sugared fruits for the officers — perhaps shall find still warm things to add. — For your second dear letter, thanks without end. It was a joy to receive it, sweetheart. It is such anguish to think of our tremendous losses; several wounded officers, who left us a month ago, have returned again wounded. Would to God this hideous war could end quicker, but one sees no prospect of it for long. Of course the Austrians are furious being led by Prussians, who knows whether they wont be having stories still amongst each other. — I received letters from Thora, Q. Helena and A. Beatrice, all send you much love and feel for you deeply. They write the same about their wounded and prisoners, the same lies have been told them too. They say the hatred towards England is the greatest. According to the telegrams Georgie is in France seeing his wounded. — Our Friend hopes you wont remain too long away so far. — I send you papers and a letter from Ania. — Perhaps you will mention in your telegram, that you thank for papers and letter and send messages. I hope her letters are not the old oily style again. — Very mild weather. At 9½ we went to the end of mass in the Pestcherny Chapel — then to our hospital where I had heaps to do, the girls nothing and then to an operation in the big hospital. And we showed our officers to Zeidler to ask advice. — Olga and Tatiana went in despair to town to a concert in the Circus for Olga's committee — without her knowledge one had invited all the ministers and Ambassadors, so she was obliged to go.
Mme Zizi, Isa and Nastinka accompanied them, and I asked Georgi to go too and help them, — he at once agreed to go — kind fellow. — I must write still to Olga with the eatables I send her. Her friend has gone there for short, as he is unwell, like Boris with the itch, and needs a good cleaning. — A. says she has looked through the newspaper and its very dull, she begs pardon for sending it, she thought it was a nice one. Just back from the big Palace and dressings I looked at, and sat with officers.
Now Malama comes to tea to say quite goodbye.
Goodbye my Angel huzzy.
God bless and protect you.
1000 fond kisses from your own old
Wify.
The Children all kiss you. We all send heaps of messages to N. P. —
Long for you!
Nicholas's reply telegram:
Telegram.
Kharkov. 23 November, 1914
Sincerest thanks for dear letters. I hope that yesterday's papers have arrived. Have seen numbers of hospitals, but had no time to see the son of Count Keller. The reception was so touching. I am leaving at four o'clock for Ekaterinodar.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.
Note: ramolie (should be ramollie) = weakened
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