Monday, June 28, 2021

Pierre Gilliard's letter to Alexandra, dated October 31, 1915

Sources:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK


George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook


The letter:

Madame,
La journée d'hier s'est bien passée. Pendant la revue dont j'ai parlé à Votre Majesté, la pluie n'a pas cessé, les soldats enfonçaient dans la boue jusqu'aux chevilles et Alexis Nicolaévitch était naturellement ravi de voir tout le monde patauger comme des canards. Après la parade il a accompagné Sa Majesté à la Cathédrale pour assister à un Te Deum. La foule était si considérable que tout le monde a été bousculé à la sortie; le comte Frédériks a eu le tendon du pied gauche froissé.

Alexis Nicolaévitch est rentré trempé par la pluie, mais seulement à la surface: le reste était parfaitement sec. Au retour Il a pris le thé avec tout le monde puis nous avons joué comme la veille au «Nain jaune» avec Sa Majesté qui a bien voulu Se joindre à nous et le capitaine Sabline.

Nous sommes arrivés à 9 h. du soir à Moghilev, Alexis Nicolaévitch s'est promené un quart d'heure, puis s'est couché.

Il s'est réveillé dispos ce matin vers 8 heures et demie et a pris le thé à table commune. Nous avons quitté le train à 10 heures. A peine arrivé, après une visite rapide de toutes les chambres et un coup d'œil amical au billard, Alexis Nicolaévitch s'est mis à écrire à Votre Majesté.

En ce moment Il s'habille pour descendre au jardin et me dit qu'il a oublié de remercier la Grande Duchesse Tatiana Nicolaévna pour Sa lettre. Il prie Votre Majesté de bien vouloir réparer Son oubli.

Je suis avec profond respect, Madame, de Votre Majesté le très humble et très obéissant serviteur
Pierre Gilliard
Grand Quartier général
Ce Samedi 31 octobre 1915

English translation (by Hawkins):

Your Majesty,
Yesterday went very well. At the time of the parade, about which I told Your Majesty, the rain did not cease. The soldiers were ankle-deep in mud and Alexei Nikolaevich was delighted to see everyone splashing about like ducks in the mud. After the parade, He accompanied His Majesty to the cathedral in order to attend the prayer service. Alexei Nikolaevich returned wet from the rain, but it was only a little bit on the top — the rest of his clothes were dry. After getting back, He had tea with everyone and then we, like previously, played "Nain Jaune" with His Majesty, who also wished to join us, and Captain Sablin. We arrived at Mogilev at 7 in the evening. Alexei Nikolaevich went for a walk for a quarter of an hour and then went to bed. He woke up today around half past eight and had tea at the common table. We left the train at 10 o'clock. Having only just arrived and quickly looking around the rooms, casting a friendly glance at the billiards, Alexei Nikolaevich set to write to Your Majesty. Right now he is getting changed in order to go down to the garden and tells me he forgot to thank Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna for her letter, and asks Your Majesty to deign to amend his forgetfulness. 
With deep respect, Your Majesty, Your Majesty's humble and obedient servant,
Pierre Gilliard.
Stavka, Saturday October 31 1915

English translation (my own):

Madame,
Yesterday went well. During the review of which I spoke to Your Majesty, the rain did not stop, the soldiers sank in the mud up to their ankles and Alexei Nikolaevich was naturally delighted to see everyone wading like ducks. After the parade he accompanied His Majesty to the Cathedral to attend a Te Deum. The crowd was so large that everyone was jostled out; Count Fredericks suffered a bruised tendon in his left foot.

Alexei Nikolaevich came in soaked by the rain, but only on the surface: the rest was perfectly dry. On the way back He had tea with everyone then we played like the day before at "Nain Jaune" with His Majesty who was kind enough to join us and Captain Sablin.

We arrived at Mogilev at 9 in the evening, Alexei Nikolaevich walked for a quarter of an hour, then went to bed.

He woke up this morning around half past eight and had tea at the common table. We left the train at 10 o'clock. Hardly had He arrived, after a quick tour of all the rooms and a friendly glance at the billiard table, that Alexei Nikolaevich began to write to Your Majesty.

At this moment He is getting dressed to go down to the garden and tells me that he forgot to thank the Grand Duchess Tatiana Nikolaevna for Her letter. He begs Your Majesty to kindly forgive His oversight.

I am with deep respect, Madame, Your Majesty's very humble and very obedient servant
Pierre Gilliard
Grand General Headquarters
This Saturday, October 31, 1915


Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.


Above: Alexei with Pierre Gilliard. Photo courtesy of tashusik2 on Flickr.

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