Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 79.
Tsarskoje Selo, May 11-th 1915
My own precious Nicky,
Again quite fresh and grey, & in the night only one degree — extraordinary for the month of May. — We spent the evening at Ania's yesterday, some officers were invited 8-10½ & they played games — Alexei came fr. — 9¼ & enjoyed himself greatly; I knitted. She gave me then letters fr. the wretched Nostitz couple to read — it seems this hideous intrigue was written to her relations to America, by a Gentleman of the American embassy, instigated by her enemies — the Ambassador is a friend of theirs. She thinks it is all done by Mme Artzimovitch (an American by birth) a story of jealousy. But it was sad to read their despairing letters of lives ruined — but I feel sure you will see that this story is cleared up satisfactorily & justice done them. I care for neither, but the whole thing is a crying shame & N. had no right to act as he did with a number of your Suite, without asking first your permission — so easy to ruin a reputation & more than difficult to reestablish it. — I must dress now. — I ordered service at 9½ in the Pestcherni chapel of the Dv. hospital, so that we can work at once in the hospital when mass is over. My heart keeps decent (drops always) but back aches very strongly — for sure kidneys. —
I had Engalitchev to-day & he told me many interesting things. — Went to the big palace & then lay on the balkony reading to Ania, tho' cold. Our Friend saw Bark for 2 hours & they talked well together. — God be thanked that the news is better, may it only continue thus. What joy, you are writing to me.
To-day its a week you left us. — The Children all kiss you & so do I, my lovebird. Send blessings without end,
Ever, huzy love, yr. very own old
Sunny.
Bow to old man & N. P.
Nicholas's letter:
Stavka. 11 May, 1915.
MY OWN DEAR LOVE,
It is exactly a week to-day since I went away. I am so sorry that I have not written to you since then! But, one way and another, it happens that I am just as busy here as at home. The morning reports, as you can imagine, have been lengthy. The church, nearly everyday, endless conversations and so forth. This took up nearly all my time, if one does not count half of the early evening, which is filled up with useful occupations. After tea there is a hasty survey of the papers, often vsenoshchnaia and dinner — with the result that I have a headache in the evening and am completely exhausted. But that has all passed, and everything has become better and more normal, as it used to be. When I arrived, a mood of depression and despondency reigned here. In a half-hour's talk, N. has clearly explained the whole state of affairs. Ivanov's Chief of Staff, poor General Dragomirov, went off his head, and he began to tell people right and left that it was necessary to retreat to Kiev. Such talk, coming from above, naturally affected the spirit (moral) of the generals in command and, combined with desperate German attacks and our terrible losses, led them to the conclusion that there was nothing left for them to do except to retreat. Since January, N. had given them all strict orders to fortify their positions in the rear. This was not done. Therefore, Radko-Dmitriev was compelled to leave his army, while Lesh was appointed his successor. Dragomirov was replaced by Gen. Savitch, an excellent man, who has arrived from Vladivostok with his Siberian Corps. Ivanov had given orders to evacuate even Przemysl. I felt all this before N. told me of it. But now, after the appointment of Savitch, thanks to God and also to his (Savitch's) strong and cool will and clear head, the mood of the generals has changed. Danilov, who came back yesterday, is absolutely reassured by what he has seen and heard. The moral condition of our troops is admirable, as it always has been; the only thing which causes anxiety, as in the past, is the shortage of munitions. Fancy, the same thing has happened to the Germans according to what the prisoners tell our officers — namely, that they were obliged to hold up their attacks owing to their supplies of ammunition being exhausted and their terrible losses. N. is very pleased with Gen. Alexeiev, my crosseyed friend, and thinks him a man in the right place.
Now you can judge for yourself whether I could go away from here in such difficult circumstances. It would have been understood as meaning that I avoided staying with the army at critical moments. Poor N., while telling me this, wept in my private room, and even asked me whether I thought of replacing him by a more capable man. He was not at all excited; I felt that he was saying exactly what he thought. He kept on thanking me for staying here, because my presence here supported him personally. That is how it is. I have explained it all to you, my treasure. Now my conscience is clear. I hope to return about the morning of the 14th — that is, if everything goes smoothly.
The sudden death of Admiral Essen is a heavy loss to the country! Admiral Kanin will be appointed to Essen's post — a man whom the latter valued very highly. For the last few days the weather has been magnificent, the woods smell so delightfully and the birds sing so loudly. It is a veritable rustic idyll — if only it were not for the war! I drive about in a car, look at new places, get out and walk.
I am sending you this telegram of N.'s, which was received only this morning. I am delighted with your regiment; of course Bat. will receive his cross.
I must finish. God bless you, my darling Sunny, and the dear children! Give A. my greetings. I kiss you tenderly and remain
Ever your loving old hubby
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Note: vsenoshchnaia (всенощная) = vespers.
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