Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 106.
Tsarskoje Selo, August 29-th 1915
My own beloved One,
One just now brought me your sweet letter of the 25-th. I thank you for it with all my heart, sweetest Pet. It is such a comfort to know that you are contented with Alexeiev & find work with him easy. Is Dragomirov going to be his help? A man may fall ill & its safer one who knows the affairs a little — wont it be easier if you come nearer — where there are more railway lines. — Mohilev is so far & with all the crowded trains passing. One ought really to do something more for the refugees — more food stations & flying hospitals — masses of children are homeless on the highroad & others die — all returning from the war — one says its bitterly painful to see. The governement is working out questions for the fugitives after the war, but its more necessary to think of them. — But God grant soon the enemy wont any more advance & then all will go on smoother. The news is most consoling wh. I read in the papers & much better editied, one feels another person writes it. — But Friend finds more fabrics ought to make amunitions, where goodies are made too. — I love all the news you give, the children & A. listen with deepest interest, as we live with you, for you from far.
Let M. Den be at the head of the garage for the moment, perhaps one can get him a place later in the navy again, as he loves & understands the work. Yes, do invite the foreigners, its far more interesting with them & one finds more topics for talking. I am glad Dmitry is alright — give him my love — but remember he ought not to remain there, its bad for him, of your own accord let him go, its unhealthy doing nothing, when all are at the war, & now he lives in gossip & plays a part. Only dont say Paul and I think so. Paul begs you to be more severe with him, as he gets spoilt & imagines he can give you advice. — Bless you Sweetheart for fasting.
Perhaps you better give Samarin the short order that you wish Bishop Varnava to chant the laudation of St. John Maximovitch because Samarin intends getting rid of him, because we like him & he is good to Gr. — We must clear out C: & the sooner the better he wont be quiet till he gets me & our Friend & A. in a mess — its so wicked & hideously unpatriotic & narrow-minded, but I know it would be so & therefore they begged you to name & I wrote in such dispair to you. Poor Markosov has returned I must try & see him. It was lovely in church, only two hours, masses went to Holy Communion, every sort of person, lots of soldiers, 2 cosacks, Zizi, Isa, Sonia, Ania, M-me Dedjulin & sister, Baby's friend, Irina, Jonk, Shah Bagov, Jussupov, Tchebytarev, Russin, Perepelitza, Kondratiev etc. We went below to kiss the images before service, upstairs the children found too shy work. Then we got your telegram to rejoice us & feel you with us the whole time — missed you awfully & still felt your sunny presence. Breakfast, luncheon (with Isa & Zizi) & tea on balkony. I made the dressings in the hospital, felt so energetic & full of inner joy. — Drove to Pavlovsk. Baby alright, cought wasps again. Vict. Erast. left to day for Mohilev. We are not going to church this evening, as are tired, the services twice dayly these four days were very long, but so lovely. The day of our stone to-day! —
I saw M-me Paretzki & she spoke so much of you — she goes over to town for winter again — I gave her our groop & said I shall ask you to sign it when you return. Have you any ideas of your plans?
This evening is a week you left — & how different are the feelings since — peace, trust & the new fresh pure beginning. That reminds me, wont you have the com. of Kovno Grigoriev quicker judged — it makes a very bad impression his wandering about like that, when one knows he gave up & left the fortress. Schulenberg hints this to me & another thing about the Semenovtsy — a sure thing, not gossip, Ussov, whom he can trust, told it him with tears — they simply bolted & therefore the Preobr. lost so many. Do find them a good brave commander. I hope, you do not mind my telling you all these things, they may be of use — you can have it found out & altogether make a clearing.
Many splendid, brave youngsters received no rewards — & high placed ones — having got the decorations. As Alex. cannot possibly do all, my weak brain imagines, some special people might see to this, to look through the immense lists & watch that injustices are not done. — In case (as I dont a bit know whether you approve of Neidhardt) you name him & he presents himself, have a strong & frank talk with him — see that he does not go Djunk. line. Put the position of our Friend clear to him from the outset, he dare not act like Stcherb. & Sam. make him understand that he acts straight against us in persecuting & allowing him to be evil written about or spoken of. You can catch him by his amour propre. And forbid the continuing of cutting down the Barons mercilessly, have you remembered about dispersing the Lett. bands amongst the regiments? Is nice Dimka with you? I am going to see Maximov who returned from Moskow. Sweety, remember to use the suite (other pen dried up) to be sent to the different fabrics in your name — please do it, it will have an excellent effect & show you watch all & not only the Duma pokes her nose into all — make a careful choice. Beloved, A. just saw Andr. & Khvostov & the latter made her an excellent impression (the old man is against him, I not knowing him, dont know what to say.) He is most devoted to you, spoke gently & well about our Friend to her, related that to morrow has to be a question about Gr. in the Duma one asked for Khvost's signature, but he refused & said that if they picked up that question, amnestie would not be given — they reasoned & abolished again asking about him. He related awful horrors about Gutchk., was at Gorem. today, spoke about you, that by taking the army you saved yourself. Khvost. took the question about German over powering influence & dearth of meat, so as the left ones wld. not take it — now the right ones have this question it is safe — she feels taken by him & has good impression. Gorem. wanted to present Kryjanovsky but I said you would never agree. Do talk him over except Neidhardt — I did not see his article then — I mean his speech of the Duma its difficult to advise. Are others against him, or only the old man, as he hates all the Duma. Awfully difficult for you to decide again, poor Treasure — I cant say as I dont know the man. — She had a very good impression indeed. Talk him over with Gorem. Now I must send this off. Hope you will clear out the Duma, only who can close it, if the old man is affraid of being insulted. I long to thrash nearly all the ministers & quickly clear away Stcherb. & Sam. back to his serious evacuation questions — you see the metrop. is against him. I hope to send you a list of names to-morrow for choice of decent people. Goodbye, Lovy, God bless & protect you, I kiss you without end & press you to my breast with infinite tenderness. Ever, Nicky mine, your very, very own
Wify.
Love to old man & N. P. Excuse rotten writing, but am in a great hurry & pen not famous. — If you could find a place for Paul out at the front, wld. be really a good thing & would not fidget you, under a real good clever general.
Is Bezobrasov's story cleared up? —
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 29 August, 1915.
In prayers and thoughts I am with you, darling, and all of you. I am glad that you had this consolation. I kiss you affectionately.
Nicky.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with Alexei.
Notes: Alexandra almost always referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".
"this consolation" = public confession.
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