Monday, July 20, 2020

Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated December 14, 1914, and Nicholas's telegrams

Sources:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=88

http://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/december14.html

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on December 14, 1914, and he sent a telegram to her the same day and the next.

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo, Dec. 14-th 1914
My very own beloved One,
A Feldjeger is leaving, so I hasten to send you a few lines. Agooweeone's foot is really alright, only hurts him to put it down, so he prefers not using it and for prudence's sake keeps on the sopha. Marie's angina is better, she slept well and has 37, Tatiana has Mme Becker, so only gets up for luncheon. Botkin has put me to bed as heart still very much enlarged and aches and I cannot take medicins; and feel still horribly tired and achy all over. Yesterday remained on the sopha, except when went up to Marie and Baby. Alia came to me for half an hour in the evening as feels sad and lonely without her husband — she spent the night at Anias. The girls went to the hospitals after luncheon and sledging — and in the evening. To-day they will go again, and to-morrow begin their work there. — I cant, alas, as yet and am very sorry about it, as it helps me morally. — Our Friend arrives to-morrow and says we shall have better news from the war — Ania goes to meet him in town. — Miechen is in town laid up with influenza; Paul one says, neither well. —

A. received 2 letters from Tchakhov, 2 from Iedigarov and Malama so touching all of them — I begged them always to give us news through A. I shall see Afrosimov to-morrow he leaves back to the regiment which soon goes to the »Stavka«, and longs to see its beloved »chef« (and family) there. Won't you speak about Kirill to Nikolasha? and then tell your Mama; it wld. really be good to settle all, and now during the war its easiest being done. — Where are all the sailors now united? — Poor Botkin continues being in great anguish about his eldest son — always hopes still that he may be alive. One says the sisters (ladies) in the »otriad« of Sandra have received medals on St. Georges ribbons, as were working under fire, taking out the wounded, I think. — Sunbeam has just gone out in the donkey sledge — he kisses you — he can put the foot down but prefers being careful so as to be soon quite alright again. — How horrid it was saying goodbye to you in Moscou, seeing you stand there amongst heaps of people (all so unlike you in every respect) and I had to bow and look at them too and smile and could not keep my eyes fixed on you, as should have wished to. — You know before our arrival to Moscou, three military hospitals with German and Austrian wounded were cleared out to Kazan — I read the description of a young gentleman (Russian) who took them — many half dying who died on the road and never should have been moved with fearful wounds, smelling poisonously, not having been bandaged for several days — and just during their Xmas being tortured like that in no lovely sanitary trains. From one hospital they were sent even without a Dr. to bring them, only sanitaries. — I have sent the letter to Ella to enquire into this and make a good row, its hideous and to me utterly incomprehensible. At Petrograd one says scarcely a vacant bed. Babys train arrives from Varshau to-day — Loman found no wounded there, so has gone to look for them elsewhere. Does that mean all is quieter these days (their Xmas and we like Christians don't profit) and therefore less losses? One longs to know something clearer. — Must stop now as my head aches yet fr. the cold, tho' the nose no longer runs. — Sashka has returned fr. the Caucasus again, one says. — Its so lonely here without you my Treasure, tenderly, beloved One, always expect the door to open and see you enter from yr. walk. Its gently snowing. Give our love to N. P., so happy he is with you. — The Children kiss you endlessly and so does your wify. I hope you feel more rested now. — One says the Sinod gave an order there should be no Xmas trees — I am going to find out the truth about it and then make a row, its no concern of theirs nor the Churches, and why take away a pleasure fr. the wounded and children, because it originally came from Germany — the narrowmindedness is too colossal. — I saw Olga Evg. she has quite broken down after her brothers death, the nerves have given way and phisically her strength fails her, wretched soul — so she needs a month's good rest and hopes then to set to work again. — God bless and keep you my very own precious Nicky dear, I kiss you and press you lovingly to my old heart, and gently stroke yr. weary brow.
Ever yr. very own old
Sunny.

Can you find out whether it is true that little Alexei Orlov is wounded? It may be again gossip — I do not know where the regiment is, and wh. one is at the General Quarter now. — Wont you ask Shavelsky to send out the Priest in the regiments more Saint Sacrements and wine, so as that more can take Holy Communion — I send what I can with our store trains, — Ella too. —

Nicholas's telegrams:

Telegram.
Stavka. 14 December, 1914.
Thanks for telegram. There is no news to-day, as it is quiet along almost the whole front. I have had a long walk. I have felt tired ever since leaving Moscow. Good night. Sleep well. Warm kisses.
Nicky.

--

Telegram.
Stavka. 15 December. 1914
Thanks for telegram. Am very sorry for poor Botkin. Here nothing is known. The regiment of Infantry Guards has been recalled, and I want to inspect them. I hope you will not mind if I return on Friday night...


Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.



Above: Tatiana.



Above: Maria.



Above: Alexei.



Above: Dr. Eugene Botkin, the family's physician who was later killed with them at Ekaterinburg.

Notes: "Madame Becker" was a euphemism Alexandra and her daughters used for their menstrual periods.

otriad (отряд) = detachment, squadron, force

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