Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 100.
Tsarskoje Selo, Aug. 24-th 1915
My own beloved One,
Thank God all is done & that the meeting went off so well — such a relief. Bless you my Angel & yor brave undertaking & crown it with success & victory, interior & exterior. So emotioning telegram No. 01 Imper-H. — I have kept the envelope too as remembrance of that memorable day; Babykins is so happy, & interested in all, Ania too at once crossed herself & I directly called Nini to the telephone to quieten her, that all went off well, she had her Mother & Emma with her, & I knew it would soothe them.
The evening was so lovely, 13 degr. that I drove 20 m. with the three big girls in a half open motor. This morning it is very damp, grey & drizzling. — A. said Nini told her, that fat O. took it very decently, thats all I know about him, that Emma cried as she was fond of him, & Nini feared it was an intrigue of her husbands', but A. quietened her. —
Whilst Mitia Den is with you, he might also do duty, when there is no walking about to be done. Oh how I should love to see how you do all, altogether I should like a concealing-fairy-cap to peep into many a house & see the faces!!! — Baby enjoyed himself very much in the "little house" with Irina Tolstoy & Rita Hitrovo, they played games together. —
I went with Marie to the Cath. S. to mass, so nice, & from there at 12 to our hospital to sit with our wounded. Then we lunched upstairs in the corner room & remained there till 6.
Baby dear's left arm hurts & is very swollen, hurt fr. time to time in the night & to-day — the old thing, but he has not had it for very long, thank God. Mr. Gillard read aloud & then showed us the magic lantern. I received 7 wounded; & Ordin. A. was at Peterhof a few hours. Out such a drizzle. I see nothing had appeared yet in the papers, so suppose you intend telling it be known to-morrow when N. leaves. — I wonder. —
Did you appreciate Volodia's success in the black sea?
I got a charming letter fr. Nicolai about yr. having taken over the command & shall send it you to-morrow — this evening I must answer it. — Ania sends her love & kisses yr. hand & is always thinking of you. —
We all send our love to N. P.
God bless & protect you my Treasure — miss you very, very much, as you know cannot be otherwise; press you tenderly to my heart & cover you with caresses & kisses. I bless you & pray for God's help.
Ever yr. old
Wify.
Ella's prayers are with you — she is going for these last days to Optin convent.
This is just about another injustice Taube, Pss Gedroitz & our young Dr. back fr. the war were telling me.
It has just come out, that henceforth the Drs. are only to get 3 military rewards, wh. is unfair, as they expose themselves continually to danger — & till now masses received rewards. Taube found quite wrong, people fr. the ordnance who sit behind in the rear should receive the same, as those under fire. The Drs. & sanitaries do marvels, are constantly killed — whilst the soldiers have to lie flat, these walk upright carrying out the wounded. —
My little Dr. Matushkin of the 21 S. Regiment has again been commanding a company. — One cannot recompense those enough, that work under fire. — One of your young cuirassiers was wounded by an officer, a quite young boy something like Minkwitz, Hessian reserve reg., such pain to hear that. — Am sure shall hear much now, hoping that I will repeat all to you. —
Longing for news from you & the war. God help you. —
This is gossip.
Aug. 24 1915. Only one word, one says, that on Wednesday in the Duma all parties are going to address themselves to you to ask you to change the old Man. I hope still, that when at last the change is made officially known things may get right, if not, I fear the old man cannot continue working when all are against him. He will never dare ask to leave, he said, but, alas, I don't know how things will work. To-day he sees all the ministers & intends speaking firmer to them, it can finish him off poor dear, honest Soul. —
And whom to take at such a moment firm enough? Minister of war, so as to punish them for (don't at all like the idea) a short time, as he understands nothing of interior questions, but will look like dictator ship. How is Kharitonov?
I don't know. But better to wait still. They of course aim at Rodz., wh. wld. be the ruin & spoil all you have done & never to be trusted — but Gutchkov is behind Poliv. & you have no minister of the Interior yet. — Forgive bothering you, but its only a rumour, wiser to know. —
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 24 August, 1915.
Hearty thanks for news. Yesterday I signed the papers of the military appointments. I have begun my work with Alexeiev, who thanks you for the ikon. The town is well situated by the river. I had a drive in the car and a walk. The weather is beautiful. I am content and calm. I kiss you, the children, "all", tenderly.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra.
Above: Alexei.
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