Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated December 17, 1914, and Nicholas's telegrams

Sources:

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=91

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

Alexandra wrote this letter to Nicholas on December 17, 1914, and Nicholas sent her a telegram the next day and another on the 19th.

The letter:

Tsarskoje Selo, Dec. 17-th 1914
My own precious One,
This will probably be my last letter, if you return on Friday. Now you are with the troops — what a joy for you and them — tho' painful to see masses of known faces missing.

The Children are working & then go to Anitchkov Palace to luncheon before receiving donations in the Winter Palace. The train with poor Butakov's body is 24 hours late, so the funeral can only be to-morrow morning.

I scarcely slept a wink this night, perhaps from 4-5 & 6-7. The rest of the time could not, & in despair kept always looking at the watch, hundred of sad thoughts coursed through my tired brain & gave it no rest. The heart again enlarged this morning — to-morrow hope to rebegin my medicines again, then I shall get quicker right again. —

6 degrees this morning — Olga walks through the garden to Znamenia & fr. there on foot to the hospital, Tatiana follows in a motor after her lesson, Olga feels the better for air & short exercise in the morning. — Sonia sat with me yesterday & chattered a lot whilst I lay on the sopha & threaded Images. — Ania's brother returns to-morrow, so he asked to see me a minute at 4. — Anastasia & Ania have gone for a turn, they say its beastly cold & windy; Baby's foot hurts a wee bit, Marie is coming down at last. Thoughts so much with you — what joy to see the dear brave troops. — This morning our Friend told her by telephone that He is a little more quiet about the news. — The papers say we took German quickfiring guns at — it does indeed seem strange! — Excuse a mighty dull letter, but feel quite cretinised & good for nothing. — Just a wee bit of scent again to remind you quite particularly of your Wify, who is impatiently awaiting yr. return. You remember I left candles for you in my compartment in the glass cupbord over my writing-table. Now my sweet Treasure goodbye & God bless & protect you. I kiss you ever so tenderly & bless you. Ever my Nicky yr. very. own tenderly loving
Sunny.

Ania kisses yr. hand. All the Children kiss you.

Nicholas's telegrams:

Telegram.
Stolbtzy. Al. Rly. 18 December, 1914.
Many thanks for two letters; also to Tatiana and Olga, I saw to-day the Moskovsky, Pavlovsky and Atamansky Regiments. The weather was warm. We are returning home. So glad to be with you all tomorrow night. Tender embraces. Nicky.

...

Telegram.
Novosokolnikovo Rly. 19 December, 1914.
N. P. has received your telegrams, but has not received A.'s letters. The weather is warm. Am glad to return.
Embrace you closely. Nicky.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.