Z. Veselova and Y. Aleshina via VK
Tuesday, August 1, 2023
Alexei's letter to Alexandra, dated November 13, 1915
Source:
Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK
The letter:
Ставка, 13 Ноября 1915 г.
Дорогая моя Мама.
Я очень доволен что могу на писать Тебе. Скажи Анастасии что каме с рапортом пришел Карпов и я вспомнил е ё. Видел там поло Мордвинова и Иедигарова, они провожали визде куда мы ехали. После парада все солдаты и офицеры совсех сторон нас окружили и поехали за нами. Очень было интересно. Весёлкин нас пригласил на свой корабль и заставил нас есть. Было очень вкусно и апититно. У них был баран.
Пора кончать. Целую Тебя крепко. Да хранит Тебя Господь. Любящий Вас
А. Леля.
English translation (my own):
Stavka, November 13, 1915
My dear Mama.
I am very pleased that I can write to You. Tell Anastasia that Karpov came with a report to the [...] and I remembered her to him. I saw [...] Mordvinov and Yedigarov there, they saw off where we were going. After the parade, all the soldiers and officers from all sides surrounded us and followed us. It was very interesting. Veselkin invited us to his ship and made us eat. It was very tasty and appetising. They had a sheep.
Time to finish. I kiss You firmly. The Lord keep You. Your loving
A. Lyolya.
Above: Alexandra with Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Pierre Gilliard's letter to Alexandra, dated November 13, 1915
Source:
Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK
The letter:
Madame,
Mardi matin à 11 heures a eu lieu la revue de la fameuse division de cavalerie du Caucase qui a beaucoup intéressé Alexis Nicolaévitch. Le spectacle de ces 4 régiments montant et descendant au galop les pentes des collines et accompagnant Sa Majesté presque jusqu'à la gare était vraiment extraordinaire et inoubliable.
Mercredi matin revue et visite de la ville de Cherson, l'après-midi Nicolaïef.
Alexis Nicolaévitch était fatigué en rentrant, le temps était malheureusement mauvais: de la pluie et du brouillard.
Jeudi toute la journée s'est passée dans le train et l'on s'est reposé en jouant naturellement au «Nain jaune». Nous avons aussi travaillé pendant 1 heure, mais sans grand résultat.
Le soir Alexis Nicolaévitch a eu de la peine à s'endormir et n'a pu le faire qu'à minuit.
Ce matin Il s'est plaint de mal de tête, mais au bout d'une heure de promenade dans le jardin tout avait disparu.
Je suis avec profond respect, Madame, de Votre majesté le très humble et très obéissant serviteur.
Pierre Gilliard
Grand Quartier général
Ce Vendredi 13 novembre 1915
English translation (my own):
Madame,
On Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock the review of the famous cavalry division of the Caucasus took place, which greatly interested Alexei Nikolaevich. The spectacle of these 4 regiments galloping up and down the slopes of the hills and accompanying His Majesty almost to the station was truly extraordinary and unforgettable.
On Wednesday morning there was a review and visit to the towns of Kherson, Nikolayev in the afternoon.
Alexei Nikolaevich was tired on returning, the weather was unfortunately bad: rain and fog.
On Thursday the whole day was spent in the train and we rested, naturally playing "Naine jaune". We also worked for 1 hour, but without much result.
In the evening Alexei Nikolaevich had difficulty falling asleep and was unable to do so until midnight.
This morning He complained of a headache, but after an hour of walking in the garden everything was gone.
I am with deep respect, Madame, Your Majesty's very humble and very obedient servant.
Pierre Gilliard
Grand General Headquarters
This Friday, November 13, 1915
Above: Nicholas and Alexei at Kherson.
Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Pierre Gilliard.
Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated September 2, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram, dated September 2, 1915
Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 110.
Tsarskoje Selo, September 2-nd 1915
My Own beloved One,
Such a glorious sunny morning, both windows were wide open all the night & now too. I have new ink now, it seems the other is at an end now, it was not Russian. — It always grieves me to see how bad things one makes here, all comes from abroad, the very simplest things, as nails for instance, wool for knitting, knittingneedles in metal & any amount of necessary things. God grant, that after this terrible war is ended, one can get the fabrics to make leather things, & prepare the fur themselves — such an immense country dependant upon others. Young Derfelden (the brother of the G. à cheval you know), Paul's son in law returned with G. Kaufmann; the administration sent from France, he says, was without the key, so that they are no good & must be arranged here, wh. will take very long, the French say we must do it, — the boy wired to France & got that answer. Sandro wrote such a contented letter to Olga after having seen you on his first report with you. Was at first too anxious & I think against you taking over the command & now sees with other eyes. N. P. wrote a charming letter to A. & it was agreable to see how he has grasped all, as one has frightened him too, tho' he held his tongue till now about it, he marveled at you having gone against everybody & it has proved itself you were wise & right, his spirits are up again. Certainly being away fr. Petr. & Moscou is the best thing, pure air, other scenery, no vile gossip. — In town one says you return on Saturday? — We go to town (an aeroplane is passing, for the first time in the morning) — I want to see our poor fellows who came back from Germany & then we take tea at Elagin at 4½. — One says Paul keeps to his room & is in an awfull state. His boy leaves & only longs to be with you or in the army & now is frightened you will sent for him & he is just feeling ill, so his humour is most depressing. I thought I would look in & cheer him up, only I wish I had some sort of an answer for him. The photos Hahn did of Baby were not successes, & the idiot did him sitting on the Balkony as tho' he had a bad leg. I have forbidden it to be sold & shall have him done again. Lovebird, good news again, thank God. One terrible hard fighting, they push on, but constantly beaten back again. — Now the members of the Duma want to meet in Moscow to talk over everything when their work here is closed — one ought energetically to forbid it, it will only bring great troubles. — If they do that — one ought to say, that the Duma will then not be reopened till much later — threaten them, as they try to the ministers — & the gouvernement. Moscow will be worse than here, one must be severe — oh, could one not hang Gutchkov?
You can not imagine what a joyful surprise it was to receive your sweet letter. I perfectly well understand how difficult it is for you to find time for writing therefore it touches me deeply, Sweetheart. — That is a name Piltz! — but at least the mushrooms are agreable to eat. — Now I understand you find Moghilev alright & that it does not disturb there. Just got your wire. — Thank God, news on the whole better, one feels so anxious their trying to cut off Vilna, but perhaps we can catch them in a trap, & then Baranovitchi — strange towards that place now — there too military people think in two weeks time it will be better. With much skill Kniazhevitch finds the losses might be less, as where the heavy firing goes on, one must quickly go under their range, as they are for great distances & cannot change quickly. The mans now are of a far less good cathegory. We just met a train going out & they waved their caps to us as we waved to them. Those heavy losses are hard — but theirs are yet worse.
Of course, you are more needed there now & Motherdear understands it perfectly. Its good you get out of an afternoon. We had divine weather to-day, like summer. I went with A. in my droshka to the cemetry, as I wanted to put flowers on the grave of the Georg. officers, who died 6 months ago to-day in the big palace — & then took her to Orlov's grave, where she has not been since her accident. Then to Znamenia I remained through half a mass & then to our hospital, where I sat with our wounded. Luncheon on the balkony, then Baby was photographed on the grass. Then at 2½ off to town to the Hospital of Hel. P. to see our prisoners back from Germany & Austria — the last arrived this month. Your Mamma had been there this morning. We saw several hundreds & 40 from another hospital, because they cried so she had not seen them. They did not look too bad on the whole, several poor blinds, lots without legs & arms — one with galloping consumption, alas; & the joy to be back. — I told them I should write to you, that I had seen them. Then to Elagin — Feodor has grown so thin, that I at first took him for Andriusha & very weak. Irina is in bed in the Crimea, also ill with the stomack. — Motherdear looks well, Xenia fidgets, knowing the children not well & separated. Feodor, Nikita, Rostislav and Vassja are here, the other three in the Crimea. — I do wish Yussupov wld. go back to Moskow, Zinaïda I beleive keeps him from fright. — Masses of movement in town, one gets quite giddy. I feel tired. At Elagin, our runner & your Mama's (ex sailor) carried me up on their hands. — Lovely air, window wide open. We always dine in the play room, but to-day I prefer remaining down as am tired & limbs ache. Think incessantly of you my Angel, pray heart & soul for you & miss you more than I can say — but happy you are out there & know at last all. —
Now goodbye, Lovy mine, the man must leave. God bless & protect you I kiss every dear spot over & over again & hold you tight in my arms.
Ever your own very own wify
Alice.
I receive Kulomsin, Ignatiev to-morrow & your Eristov lunches with us. — Dona received our 3 Russian nurses & Motherdear said she would not the Germans & now she feels, she must & fears being rude to them. Miechen & Mara could not in consequence, but then they too will. Now, if they ask me, what shall I answer. Every kindness shown them will make them sooner ready to be kind to ours & they would never understand, if I dont see them. if they ask; — & here one will no doubt rage against me. The red cross nurses make a difference, it seems to me. What do you think, tell me Sweetheart, please; I find, I might, as they are women, & I know Ernie will or Onor see ours, & Grd. Dchs. of Baden for sure. —
How this new ink stinks, shall scent the letter again.
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 2 September, 1915.
Hearty thanks for dear letter; also Alexey and Anastasia. The news, on the whole, is better. Summerlike weather. In thought I am always near you. I kiss all tenderly.
NICKY.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
Above: Marie Feodorovna, Nicholas's mother and Alexandra's mother-in-law.
Above: Alexei. Photo courtesy of tashusik2 on Flickr.
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