Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated April 19, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram, dated April 20, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=129&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/april15.html

The letter:

No. 71.

Tsarskoje Selo, April 19-the 1915.

My own darling Huzy dear,

Such a gloriously sunny morning! Shall lie out on the balkony at last again. Yesterday Mme Janov sent us flowers from beloved Livadia — glycinias, golden rain-drops, lilac iris wh. have opened this morning, lilac & red Italians anemonies wh. I used to paint & now want to again — Judas tree little branches, one pioni & tulips. To see them in ones vases makes me quite melancholy. Does it not seem strange, hatred & bloodshed & all the horrors of war — & there simply Paradise, sunshine & flowers and peace — such a mercy but such a contrast. Do hope you managed to get a nice drive beyond Baidary:

Well, Baby & I went at 11½ to Church, & came just during the Credo — so nice being in Church again, but missed you, my Angel, awfully — & was tired & felt my heart. — Blind Anisia took holy Communion — she upset the lantern in Ania's house & set the room on fire. After luncheon I lay knitting for an hour on the balkony, but the sun had gone & it was cold. Ania sat with me from 1½-3¼. — Such tender thanks for the divine lilacs — such perfume!

Thanks over & over again from us all — I gave Ania some too. —

The Children are giving medals in a hospital (with Drenteln) & then they & Baby go to Ania to meet the 2 cosacks & Marie's friend. —

How dear you named Baby chef of one of those splendid battalions, Vorontzov sent me a delighted telegram. Eagerly awaiting your return — lonely without you, my Sweetheart; & you will have such a lot to tell. —

Schwibzik is sleeping near me.

Now Goodbye, my very Own, God bless & protect you & bring you safely home to us.

Very fondest kisses fr. yr. own

Sunny.

Messages to everybody!

Nicholas's telegram:

Telegram. Orel. 20 April, 1915.

Warm thanks for dear letter. I have spent a very interesting and full day at the Briansky factory. In the morning it was terribly hot; now, after a thunderstorm and rain, the temperature has fallen to 6 degrees. To-morrow morning I shall see Ella. I kiss you affectionately.

Nicky.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.

Above: Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia.

Above: Alexei.

Note: Shvibzik was the dog of Alexandra's youngest daughter Anastasia, named after her own nickname.