Sources:
Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923
The letter:
No. 122.
Tsarskoje Selo, Sept. 14-th 1915
My own beloved Darling,
I found your dear telegram this morning upon getting up, I was so grateful as had been anxious getting no news all day. Being very tired I went to bed at 11.20 yr. wire left the Headquarters at 10,31 and reached here 12.10. Thank God the news is better. But what will you do for the army, so as not to have Alexeiev the only responsible one? Do you get Ivanov to come here and Stcherbatov to replace him out there? You will be calmer and Alexeiev wont have to carry the responsibility all alone. — So after all you have to move to Kaluga — what a nuisance, tho' from here I should say the distance is less than now, only you are so far from the troops. But if Ivanov helps Alexeiev then you could go straight from here to see some troops at least. —
What has been going on at sea, I know nothing and read this morning of the losses of the Captain of the 1-st rank, S. S. Viazemsky (heroic death in battle) and the officers and men of the ship announce it, and his body is being brought from the Baltik Station. Then Capt. of the 2-nd rank, Vl. Al. Svinin also fell as a hero. What does this mean? Peter Vasilievitch told the Children some days ago that the Novik had been in battle, but as one keeps the naval news out of the papers, one feels anxious to know what it means. When you are not here of course I only get the news in the morning out of the "Novoye Vremya". If there should be anything good, do wire it, as one hears often false news wh. of course I tell all not to believe.
How is Voyeikov, I cannot forget his madness here and horrid behaviour to Ania. Do take care that he does not take things too much in hand there and does not meddle, as poor old Fred. is old and, alas, becoming rather foolish, the other with his dominating spirit and being most ambitious and sure of himself, and try to fulfil functions wh. don't concern him. Don't you need somebody else still because of the foreigners, or deputations, or orders to be given over, wh. you have not the time to do yourself — a General aide de camp or something like that? — Have you got rid of useless people there? I am glad Boris has gone back again. — I hope he can get the lists of the losses as the wives are in all states. —
One says Leichtenberg is wounded, I forget what regiment he commands but its the Preobr. ladies especially who are nervous. — I wonder what troops you saw the other day. — Now the old Man is with you. Its stupid one prints when he comes to me, thats fr. town, my people don't know it even, as people get angry I mix in — but its my duty to help you. Even in that I am found fault with, sweet Ministers and society, who criticise all, and themselves are occupied with things not concerning them at all. Such is the unedifying world. — Still I am sure you hear far less gossip at the Headquarters and I thank God for it. — Church began at 6-8 yesterday, Baby and I came at 7¼.
Slept badly, am tired and my head rather aches, so keep in bed till luncheon. Paul's asked to come for tea.
Oh my sweet One, thanks and thanks ever so tenderly for yr. sweet letter of the 11-th, I received it with intensest gratitude and joy. It has been kissed over and over again and reread any amount of times. Yes indeed, when will that happy moment arrive, when we shall be cosily seated together in my mauve room! We continue drinking tea in the big room, tho' by the time Paul left at 6¼, it was already quite dark. —
Yes, the changes of ministers. In the train Kussov went with Stcherbatov and he called the old man "crazy old man" thats going far; some in the Duma want Stcherbatov in Goremykin's place, and I understand them because they could do whatsoever they like with him. —
Paul was disgusted with the goings on at Moscou and the deputation that wished to present themselves to you! —
For the old woman's letter, warmest thanks — it pleased me very much and I read it aloud to Ania — Paul does not care for Mrazovsky, said he is such a cad, he remembers him fr. his service — I remember he screamed at the Guard's Convoys once, because a man cld. not say the words of the anthem by heart; the poor Grenadier divisions were so very little famous at the war now. Is it true Kuropatkin, got it, or are those gossips? Wonder how he will show himself this time — God grant alright — being in a lawer position it may go better. Paul asked why Nikolasha is still in the Country, and whether it was true you wrote he was to rest in the Caucasus, at Borjom — I said yes, and that you had allowed him 10 days at Pershino. Lovy, order him south quicker, all sorts of bad elements are collecting round him and want to use him as their flag (God wont permit it) but safer he should be quicker in the Caucasus, and you said 10 days and to-morrow its 3 weeks he left the Headquarters. — Be firm in that too, please. I am so glad, that Paul has realised the game Nikolasha was to play — he rages about the way Nikolasha's a. d. c. speak. — I am glad you made Voyeikov understand things — he is so obstinate and selfsure and a friend of Stcherbatov's. — How happy I am you saw some artillery — what a recompense to them. — Keep Misha with you still, do. — Paul again repeated, that he hopes very earnestly that you will send D. to his regiment, he finds the life he now leads his ruin, as he has absolutely nothing to do and wastes his time, wh. is perfectly true. —
If ever you get any news of the hussars, do let me know, as Paul is anxious, his boy being now in the regiment. Paul is now well, but very weak, pale and thin. — Old Aunt Sasha I. has come to town and will take tea with us on Wednesday, Xenia and Sandro lunch that day with us too. —
The news to-day about our allies is splendid, if true — thank goodness if they are beginning to walk now, it was hard time. And to have taken 24 artillery and made thousands of prisoners, but thats quite beautiful! — I do find it so wrong, that the Ministers do not keep to themselves all the discussions, wh. go on in the Council of Ministers. Once questions are decided, its early enough to know about them. But our uneducated, tho' they imagine themselves intellectual public, read up everything, only grasp a quarter and then set to discussing all, and the papers find fault with everything — hang them!
Miechen wrote to ask again about Plotho, whether anything can be done. — I do thoroughly bore you. — In sweet Petrograd one said you were here some days — now — that Gregory is at the Headquarters, — they are really becoming always more cretinised, and I pitty you when you return. But we shall be wild with joy to have you back again, if ever so short — just to hear your precious voice, see yr. sweet face and hold you long, long in my yearning arms. — My head and eyes ache, so I cant write any more now. Goodbye, Sweetheart, Nicky love. God bless and protect you and keep you fr. all harm. I cover you with kisses.
Ever yr. own old wify
Alix.
I feel quite sad without our hospital, where I have not been since Thursday. —
Ania has gone over to the big palace. — Lovy, are you sending people of your suite to the fabrics? Please don't forget it. —
My "Alexandrovtsi" are near Dvinsk and have rather heavy losses amongst the men. —
The Children all kiss you, Marie is overjoyed with your letter. —
Yuzik never went to the Headquarters, the children imagined it. —
I like the story about the hunt for the germans near Orsha; our Cosacks would have found them fast enough. Are they aiming at Riga again? Lovy sweet, me wants you, oh so, so much, precious Darling. Your letters and telegrams ary my life now. — Kiss dear Misha, Dmitri.
My love to the old Man and N. P.
Think over about Ivanov sweet one — I think you would feel calm — or if he were with Alexeiev at the Headquarters and then you would be free to move about — and when you remain longer at the Headquarters he could go round inspecting all and give you news how things are going and have an eye on all, and his presence would be good everywhere. —
Sleep well, I bless and kiss you!
Nicholas's letter:
Mogilev. 14 September, 1915
MY OWN BELOVED, DARLING SUNNY,
My heartfelt thanks for your dear letters, which are always a source of joy and consolation to me. The old man (Gor.) has just arrived, and I shall receive him at 6 o'clock. I am very sorry for you, that you had to tire yourself so much during these busy days...
So far it is difficult for me to settle the day of my coming home, because it depends on the Stavka being moved to Kalouga; that will take five or six days — so that, God willing, we shall spend about a week together! What happiness!
The story of the German patrols has ended as I thought it would — in a comic fashion. It was our own patrol of 7 Cossacks, which, having gone astray, broke off from one of the cavalry, and got to the south as far as Mogilev. How silly it was to invent such a story!
The weather continues to be lovely. I go out every day in a car with Misha, and we spend a great part of my leisure together, as in former years. He is so calm and charming — he sends you his very heartiest greetings.
On the whole, things at the front are not bad. The Germans are still pressing at the top [probably, "at the extreme end of the line" or "at the extreme north"] at Dvinsk, and from the direction of Vilna, to the east, as well as from Baranovitchi. Serious fighting is going on in these places all the time. Well, my dear, I must finish. God bless you and the dear children! Next time I shall write to Anastasia. I kiss you all tenderly.
Always your
NICKY.
Nicholas's telegram:
Telegram. Stavka. 14 September 1915.
Hearty thanks for telegram. I have just seen the old man. I have decided to call all the Ministers here. He asked for it to be done. I have written. The weather is warm. I am sorry for old Arseniev's death. Please give Shcheglov orders to take back into the library all the letters and papers which I allowed him to use. I kiss you fondly.
NICKY.
Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.
