https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/march15.html
The letter:
No. 52
Tsarskoe Selo, March 6-th 1915
My very own Sweetheart,
A bright sunny day again, but 12 of frost. This morning the heart is not enlarged, but it has slipped to the right, so the feeling is the same. Yesterday evening it was again enlarged. I get over onto the sopha for dinner till 10½ or 11. Feel still. so weak, A. fidgets for me to come to her, but Botkin is going there, so as to tell her, that I cannot yet, & need quiet still somedays. Thank God, the wounded officers in both hospitals are pretty well, so that I am not absolutely necessary this moment & the girls were at soldiers' operations again yesterday. They so touchingly ask after me through the girls, Zizi or Botkin. I miss my work, & all the more so that you, my Angel, are not here, —
Do so wonder where & when you will be able to move on — standing so long at the Headquarters must be rather despairing. — Lovy dear, people want to send gospels to our prisoners, prayerbooks they (the Germans) do not allow to be forwarded to Germany — Loman has 10,000 — may they be sent with an inscription that they come from me, or better not, kindly answer by wire "gospels yes — or not", then I will understand how to have them sent. — Sonia sat with me yesterday afternoon ¾ of an hour, shall ask Mme Zizi to-day, as children must go out & to hospitals. — Please give the enclosed letter to N. P. through your man, it's one from O, T & me together. —
My lancer Apukhtin is for the moment commanding an infantry regiment (forget which), because only a captain was left eldest there. — just got your precious letter — such an unexpected intense joy, thanks ever so tenderly! 'Warm words comfort my tired heart. — That is nice your having named yourself "chef" & Georgi too — with what force & cheer those brave "Plastuni" will now be off — God bless their voyage & give them success. —
Your walks are surely refreshing, & the different falls must cheer up the monotony (when not too painful). — Lovy mine, your letters are just as a ray of Sunshine to me!
Yesterday they buried the poor fellow & sister Liubusha said he had still his happy smile — only a little changed in colour, but the expression we knew so well, had not faded. Always a smile, & he told her he was so happy & wanted nothing more — shining eyes which struck all & after a life of ups & downs, a romance of changes, thank God he was happy with us. —
How many "plastuni" regiments go? as I might send them quickly Images - how many officers in each regiment? Make Drenteln cypher the wire through Kira to me, please. — Ania's Mother was very ill with a colossal attack of stones in the liver, but is now better — another such strong attack, our Friend said, would be her end. — Again she fidgets I am to telephone & come in the evening, when we daily explain I can't yet; so tiresome of her, & heaps of letters every day — its not my fault, & I must get quite right & only by quiet lying (as can't yet take medicine) can help me — she only thinks of herself & is angry, I am so much with the wounded — they do me good & their gratitude gives me strength — whereas with her, who complains about her leg always, it's more tiring — one gives out so much of oneself, moral & physical all day, that in the evening little is left. Got again a loving letter from our Friend, wants me to go out in the sun, says it will do me good (morally) more than lying. But its very cold, I have still a cough, the cold I keep down, then feverish again & so weak & tired. — Got a wire from my Tutchkov from Lvov (Lemberg) supply train who arranged (have 4) a flying one so as to help more, it will become our 5-th. "The flying train finished its 2-nd trip by touring the region of the Stry, Skole and Vigoda, some military units and sanitary sections received their supplies in the neighbourhood of the front positions of Tukhli, Libokhori and Koziuvki, at the same time distributing gifts and images (from me). The attentions bestowed by Your Majesty everywhere provoked the sincerest enthusiasm and limitless joy. On the return trip the empty cars furnished with portable stores carried from Vigoda about 200 wounded, the evacuation of whom considerably lightened the task of the hospital, etc." So the nearer these little trains go in front, the better it is — Mekk is a wee genius, inventing & setting all this going — all he does is really well & quickly done & he had the chance of getting good gentlemen for these supply trains. — Zizi sat an hour & was very dear.
The girls walked & now have gone to the big palace. —
A man leaves for Olga, so must send her a line. — Please tell Drenteln that we send messages & hope his leg is better. Bow to Grabbe & N. P. & wee Admiral & my friend Feodorov. Goodbye now, my own precious one, my huzy dear, my sweet Sunshine, I cover you with very tenderest kisses, Baby too. The girls are wild that they may bathe in your bath. God bless & protect you & keep you from all harm — prayers & thoughts are ever with you. Messages to the family.
Ever your own
Sunny.
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 7 March, 1915.
Warmest thanks for dear No. 283. About the New Testaments — yes. I shall tell you about the plastouni. The gentlemen thank you all. It is warm to-day, thawing...
Nicholas's letter:
Stavka. 7 March, 1915.
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
I thank you countless times for your sweet letter No. 282, and am angry with myself for not writing to you every day, as I intended. The courier leaves at 6.30, and after 5 o'clock I am always in a hurry with the papers, and when I am busy with the usual morning report there is hardly time enough left to write letters before lunch. We are all amazed here at the time going so quickly. The prolongation of my stay here has proved useful, as we had to discuss a number of serious and pressing questions; if I had not been here it would have taken much more time and an exchange of telegrams.
It seems to me you think that N. is holding me back on purpose, with the idea of not letting me move about and see the troops. In reality that is not quite correct.
About a fortnight ago, when he wrote to me advising me to come here, he said that I could easily visit three army corps, because they were grouped together in the rear.
Since then much has changed, and they have all been sent to the front line; that is true — I receive proof of it every morning during the Reports. Even General Pau was not allowed to go to Lomja (my little place). He only went through Warsaw to Bzoura and Ravka, where at the present moment all is quiet. Yesterday I drove Out 24 versts in a car and walked in a charming wood and in the camp of the 4th Army Corps-the place is called the Scobelevsky Camp. On the huts occupied by the officers their surnames are inscribed; they are surrounded by little gardens, with benches, gymnastic apparatus, and all sorts of amusements for the children. I thought with sadness of those who will never again return here.
It was terribly cold driving in an open car, but we were warmly clothed. To-day it is thawing. Chemodourov bought these cards for me at the post office. Give A. my greetings and tell her that I liked the verses which she copied for me.
I hope that you are feeling better now, my love, my sweet Wify. God bless you and the children! I am always with you in prayer and thought.
Ever your loving
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Note: verst = a Russian unit of length, equivalent to about 1.07 kilometres or about ⅔ of a mile.
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