Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 102.
Tsarskoje Selo, Aug. 26-th 1915
My very own Sweetheart,
I am writing in the corner room upstairs, Mr. Gilliard is reading aloud to Alexei. Olga & Tatiana are in town this afternoon. Oh Lovy, it was beautiful — to read the news in the papers this morning & my heart rejoyced more then I can say. Marie & I went to mass in the upper church, Anastasia came to the Te Deum. The priest spoke beautifully, I wish a good big crowd in town had heard him, it would have done them no end of good, as he touched the inner currents so well. With heart & soul I prayed for you my treasure. It lasted fr. 10½-12½. Then we went to Ania to meet her dear big Lili returning from church. She had been hunting for her mother whose husband has been killed & she was looking for his body. She could no more get to Brest, the Germans were at 18 fr. where she was. Fancy, Mistchenko asked her to lunch — she amongst 50 officers. She spent the night at Anias & leaves again to join her Boy; she has no news from her husband. — We lunched, took tea & shall dine here. I went for a short turn in a half opened motor with Ania & Marie to get a little air — quite like September. — Kostia comes at 6 & then I go to church — a consolation to be in church & pray with all together, for my huzy. — And Ivanov's good news was indeed a blessing for the beginning of your great work. God help you, Sweetheart. All seems small now, such joy reigns in my soul. — I have had no news from the old man since Sunday. — Samarin goes on speaking against me — hope to get you a list of names & trust can find a suitable successor before he can do any more harm. — How are the foreigners? I see Buchanan to-morrow, as he brings me again over 100,000 p. from England.
I got a letter from M-me Baharacht, who begs her husband should not be sent away till after the end of the war. He is of limit of age, but he does a lot at Bern for the Russians & tries his best — perhaps you will remember when his name may be mentioned by Sazonov. — The gramophon is playing in the bedroom for Marie & Anastasia. — Baby slept on the whole (?) hours — with interruptions — is cheery & suffers little. I told Fred.: it was unnecessary to arrange anything for the wounded at present at Livadia, as there are still very many empty places at Jalta — & now fr. all the sides fr. the Crimea one tells me all is being arranged. — Do ask Fred: why? — as I do not find it as yet necessary; perhaps later — soon my sanatorium, the military one, & the Livadia hosp. will be ready — enough for the present.
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 26 August, 1915.
My warmest thanks for letter No. 332. Last night I received a telegram from Ivanov about the glorious success of our army in Galicia, where two German divisions have lost over 150 officers and 7000 men prisoners, and 30 guns, taken by us. This happened immediately after the declaration of my appointment. Praise be to God for such a consolation! Fond kisses.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Olga, Tatiana, Maria, Anastasia and Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
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