Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated November 24, 1914, and his letter

Sources:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=82

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

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on November 24, 1914, and he wrote a letter the next day.

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo, Nov. 24-th 1914.
My very own beloved One,
I am so glad you had such a touching reception at Kharkov — it must have done you good and cheered you up. The news from out there makes one so anxious — I don't listen to the gossip of town which makes one otherwise quite nervous, but only believe what Nikolasha lets know. Nevertheless I begged A. to wire to our Friend that things are very serious and we beg for his prayers. Yes, its a strong enemy we have facing us and a stubborn one. —

Sashka is coming to us to tea, on his way to the Caucasus — one says he married an actress and therefore leaves the regiment, he denied it to A. and said it was his bad health which obliged him to ask for leave and he wanted to see his parents. — Malama took tea before leaving too. — Ella arrives this evening. — We had 4 operations this morning in the big hospital and then officers dressings — My 2 »Crimeans« from Dvinsk arrived — they happily look better than they did then. — Almost daily I receive officers returning to the army or leaving to continue a restcure in their family. — Now we have placed officers in the big palace on the opposite side too; General Tancray (the father of mine) lies there too. — I am going off to see them at 4, the poor little fellow with the terrible wound always begs me to come.

The weather is grey and dull. — Do you ever manage to get a run at the stations? —

Fredericks was ill again two nights ago and spat blood — so he is kept in bed — poor old man, it is so hard for him — and he suffers morally terribly. — Masses of your Mamas 11th Siberian regiment came in my train, 7 of her officers lie here in different trains. — Yesterday we received three »Pavlovtsi« to congratulate us on their feast-day, and Boris wired from Varsovie in the »Atamantsi« name. — Petia looks alright, told us a lot, smelt of garlic, as he has injections of arsenic made him. — The Children are well and cheery. — Such a pitty I cannot get off now in a sanitary train — I long to be nearer the front, as you are so far away — that they should feel our proximity and gain courage. — A. Eugenie has 100 wounded in the hall and adjoining room. —

I do so long for you, my treasure — to-morrow a week that you have left us — heart and soul are ever near you. I kiss you as tenderly as I only can and hold you tightly in my arms.

God bless and strengthen you and give consolation and trust. —

Ever, Nicky my own, your very own deeply loving old Wify
Alix.

Wonder whether you saw my supply store at K.; the Gov. is on bad terms with the Rebinders and so does not give a penny to my store, alas. — Please, give N. P. our best love. — The Children kiss you 1000 times. I wonder where this letter will reach you! —

Nicholas's letter:

In the train. 25 November 1914.
MY BELOVED, DARLING SUNNY,
It seems to me as though it is ages since we parted! — Two days ago I received your letter from Kharkov, with our group taken in Dvinsk. To-day is my first free day.

We are passing through picturesque country which is new to me, with beautiful high mountains on one side and steppes on the other. Since yesterday it has been much warmer, and to-day the weather is lovely. I sat for a long time at the open door of the carriage and breathed in the warm fresh air with delight. At each station the platforms are crowded with people, especially children; there are thousands of them, and they are charming with their tiny papakha on their heads.

Naturally, the receptions in every town were touchingly cordial. But yesterday I experienced other and still better impressions in Ekaterinodar, the capital of the Kouban province — it was as pleasant as on board ship, thanks to crowds of old friends and the familiar faces of the Cossacks, which I remember from childhood, in the Convoy. Of course I drove in my car with the Ataman, General Babysch, and inspected several excellent hospitals, containing wounded from the Caucasian Army. Some of the poor fellows have frostbitten legs. The train is jolting terribly, so you must excuse my writing.

After the hospitals I looked in for a minute at the Kouban Girls' Institute and at a large orphanage dating from the last war, all of them Cossack girls, real military discipline. They look well and unconstrained; here and there a pretty face. N. P. and I were very pleased with what we saw.

I have just finished lunch. It is quite hot in the train.

We are running along by the Caspian Sea; it rests the eye to look at the blue distance; it reminded me of our Black Sea and wafted me into melancholy. Not far off are mountains, beautifully lit up by the sun. It is a pity, why are we not together? On the whole, travelling about here means being infinitely further removed from the war than being in Kovno or Grodno. N. P. and I were very glad that you went there and saw our friends. I shall send this letter by courier from Derbent. Of course it was Peter the Great who took this little old place in 1724 — I cannot remember where the keys are kept. I know that they must be in one of the palace churches, because I have seen them, but I am not sure precisely in which.

Tell Olga that I thought of her a great deal yesterday in the Kouban province. This country of the Cossacks is magnificent and rich; a large number of orchards. They are beginning to be wealthy, and above all — they have an inconceivably high number of small infants. All future subjects. This all fills me with joy and faith in God's mercy; I must look forward in peace and confidence to what lies in store for Russia. This second telegram from our Friend was handed to me at a small station where I got out for a walk. I find it highly comforting.

By the way, I have forgotten to explain to you why my programme was slightly changed. When I was at the Stavka, the old Count Vorontzov asked me by telegram whether I would care to visit both of the Cossack provinces and both chief towns; as we had a little spare time on our journey, Voeikov quickly arranged this matter, and has thus given me an opportunity for seeing some more useful and important places — Ekaterinodar, and on our journey back to the north, Vladikavkaz — of the Tersky Army. During my passing visits to Toula, Orel, Koursk and Kharkov I was too busy and bewildered to be able to write to you or even to telegraph — you must have noticed it, whereas to-day we are all enjoying a real rest; the gentlemen are as much tired as I am. But I repeat again: all our impressions are delightful. What the country is achieving and will go on achieving till the end of the war is wonderful and immense. Part of this achievement I saw with my own eyes, and even Feodorov, from a purely medical point of view, was astounded.

But I must finish now, my love. I kiss you and the dear children warmly and tenderly. I am longing for you so much, so much in need of you! God bless and keep you!
Always your hubby
Nicky.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Note: papakha (папаха) = fur cap.