Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated August 24, 1915

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_49661

Alexandra's letter of the same day to Nicholas:

https://empressalix.blogspot.com/2023/04/alexandras-letter-to-nicholas-dated_12.html

The letter:

Царское-Село. 1915.

24го Августа.

Дорогая моя Ольга душка,

Спасибо Вам большое за ваше письмо, не помню благодарила ли я Вас за него, кажется нет. — Погода сегодня отвратительная, дождь идет с утра. Так скучно. Папа третьего дня вечером от нас уехал. Были ли Вы в Ялте или еще не ездили туда? Как наверно хорошо там. Тут в Красном Кресте в Мама лазарете лежит Гротен. Вы его наверно знали когда он был Лейб Гусаром. Он ранен в ногу на вылет без повреждения кости. А как Ваш брат? И где он теперь в полку на войне или здесь? А Тата где? Очень часто думаю о Вас и Вашем муже. Так давно не видались. Ужасно грустно. Но я ужасно рада за Вас, что Вы можете быть все это время с ним! —

Как Вы устроились на новой даче?

У нас теперь лежат в лазарете два офицера моего полка. Страшно рада иметь их тут. Мы видели вчера у А. А. Риту Хитрово. Помните ее в Крыму? Она будет теперь работать где-нибудь здесь в лазарете? Как Ваше здоровье? И как нога Вашего мужа. Скажите ему, что я очень сожалею о том что она у него болела.

Ну досвиданья Ольга душка. Крепко, крепко Вас целую и кланяюсь Павлу Алексеевичу.

Ваша

Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe-Selo. 1915.

August 24th.

My dear Olga darling,

Thank you very much for your letter, I don't remember if I thanked you for it, I think not. The weather today is disgusting, it has been raining since morning. So boring. Papa left us in the evening three days ago. Have you been to Yalta or have you not gone there yet? How good it must be there. Here in Mama's Red Cross infirmary lies Groten. You probably knew him when he was a Life Hussar. He was hit in the leg with a blowout without breaking the bone. And how is your brother? And where is he now in the regiment in the war or here? Where is Tata? I often think of you and your husband. We haven't seen each other in such a long time. Terribly sad. But I'm terribly happy for you that you can be with him all this time! —

How did you get settled in the new dacha?

We now have two officers of my regiment in the infirmary. Terribly glad to have them here. We saw Rita Khitrovo at A. A's yesterday. Remember her in the Crimea? Will she work somewhere here in the infirmary now? How is your health? And how is your husband's leg. Tell him that I am very sorry that he was ill from it.

Well, goodbye Olga darling. I kiss you firmly, firmly and bow to Pavel Alexeyevich.

Your

Tatiana.

Above: Alexandra with Tatiana.

Note: Tata = Natalia K. Kleinmichel, Olga Voronova's sister.

Olga Alexandrovna's letter to Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia, dated June 1, 1915

Source:

Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_17993

The letter:

Проскуров. 1 Июня 1915.

Мои душки любимые — Ольга, Татьяна,

Мария и Анастасия!

Так тронута вашими милыми письмами и подарочками... Провожу день своего рождения совершенно в новой обстановке — и как это не странно — мне не кажется что это удивительно. Все утро и до 2 час. дня мы были в перевязочной так что я даже устала!...

Был молебен но я застала лишь кусочек. Приезжал командир моего полка с супругой своей и дочкой (обе уроды) и еще 2 больных офицера и 3 гусара! Крендель от них получила очень трогательно. Почему то мне сегодня грустно очень и если только можно было я бы лежала и плакала бы — сама не знаю зачем... Сижу теперь в собственном садике крошечном спиной к заборчику с одной стороны лежит коза — с другой Дафнэ. Писать ничего не могу. У меня лежат те самые Ахтырцы и Донцы — артилерийцы которых я видела в день их ранения там в Снятыне. Они ужасно рады попасть ко мне.

Я в новых туфлях! Вошел в садик мой Никита (мой деньщик) и коза к нему подбежала и он поит ее водой. Чудный человек Никита и мы любим друг друга! Я никогда столько цветов не получала. Санитары — мне подарили большую вазу для цветов на столе и написано от кого и 1 Июня 1915. Ужасно трогательно. Скажи Мама что я очень очень благодарю за туфли, за "water proof" за скамейки итд. и другой раз напишу. Нежно люблю, целую, обнимаю. Так жаль Швыбзика! Плакала ли?

God bless you all мои душки дорогие. За ваши подарки ужасно благодарю. Очень хорошо нарисовано [...]!

Любящая вас всех Тетя Ольга.

English translation (my own; original English in italics):

Proskurov. June 1, 1915.

My favorite darlings — Olga, Tatiana,

Maria and Anastasia!

So touched by your lovely letters and gifts... I'm spending my birthday in a completely new environment — and strange as it may seem — I don't think it's surprising. All morning until 2 o'clock we were in the dressing room so I was even tired! ...

There was a moleben, but I found only a piece. The commander of my regiment came with his wife and daughter (both freaks) and 2 more sick officers and 3 hussars! The pretzel I received from them is very touching. For some reason, I feel very sad today, and if only I could lie [down] and cry — I don't know why myself... Now I'm sitting in my own tiny garden with my back to the fence on one side lies a goat — on the other Daphne. I can't write anything. I have those same Akhtyrs and Donetses — artillerymen whom I saw on the day they were wounded there in Snyatyn. They are terribly glad to be with me.

I'm in new shoes! My Nikita (my orderly) entered the garden and a goat ran up to him and he gives her water to drink. Wonderful man, that Nikita, and we love each other! I've never received so many flowers. The orderlies — they gave me a large vase for flowers on the table and it is written from whom and June 1, 1915. Terribly touching. Tell Mama that I am very very grateful for the shoes, for the "water proof" for the benches, etc.  and write another time. Gently love, kiss, hug. So sorry for Shvibzik! Did you cry?

God bless you all my dear darlings. Thank you very much for your gifts. Very well drawn [...]!

Loving you all, Aunt Olga.

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Olga, Tatiana, Maria and Anastasia. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Olga Alexandrovna.

Note: moleben (молебен) = a prayer service in the Russian Orthodox Church.

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated October 10, 1915

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_49802

The letter:

Царское-Село.

10го Октября. 1915.

Дорогая Ольга,

Очень, очень благодарю Вас за Ваше письмо и прошу простить, что так долго не благодарила Вас когда я узнала о смерти Вашего beau-frère а то думала, что Вы наверно сюда приедете и не хотела Вас безпокоить моими письмами. Как Ваша бедная сестра теперь. Мне Тата говорила что она была в ужасном состоянии бедная. Так ее жаль. Я Вам пишу еще сюда т. к. не знаю где Вы? Если здесь то долго-ли еще пробудите тут? Мы на днях едем с Мама в Ставку за Алексеем. Я думаю, что наверно ему не хочется возвращаться, потому что он страшно доволен быть там с Папа. Он писал Мама, что он надеется еще долго там пробыть. А мы тут по прежнему работали каждый день в лазарете. Много раненых.

Ну, вот досвиданья Ольга душка. Крепко крепко целую Вас моя милая и кланяюсь Вашему мужу.

Ваша

Татьяна.

Кланяюсь всем нашим в Севастополе.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe-Selo.

October 10th. 1915.

Dear Olga,

I thank you very, very much for your letter and I beg your pardon that I did not thank you for so long when I learned of the death of your beau-frère, otherwise I thought that you would probably come here and I did not want to disturb you with my letters. How is your poor sister now. Tata told me that she was in a terrible state, poor thing. So sorry for her. I am still writing to you here because I don't know where you are? If you are here for a long time, will you still wake up here? One of these days, Mama and I are going to Stavka to fetch Alexei. I think he probably doesn't want to go back because he is terribly happy to be there with Papa. He wrote to Mama that he hoped to stay there for a long time. And we still worked here every day in the infirmary. There are many wounded.

Well, goodbye Olga darling. I kiss you firmly my dear and bow to your husband.

Your

Tatiana.

I bow to all of ours in Sevastopol.

Above: Tatiana. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Nicholas and Alexei with their Cossacks.

Notes: beau-frère = brother-in-law.

Tata = Natalia K. Kleinmichel, Olga Voronova's sister.

Nicholas's letter to Alix, dated May 17/29, 1894

Sources:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 2: Engagement and Marriage, 1894, pages 96 to 97, by George Hawkins, 2023

https://disk.yandex.com/mail?hash=Pr3%2B9BqSbVsjjgV6xvio2QYWT4c8a9OyIUIZXJLFUpg%3D%3A

George Hawkins at Letters and writings of Nicholas II and his family on Facebook

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid023BcFZztBvb1x3Vw9aBUmisUb1FJMj3NQgTb2tM3GwRzPnLtWxxMDvvHUBsHtaDVkl&id=100067001081671&mibextid=Nif5oz

The letter:

May 17/29. 1894. Красное Село.

N 27.

My own precious darling Alix,

As apparently no letter from you will come today, I sit down and take a new pen (the one I had yesterday was horrid) and begin writing to you. The weather is simply atrocious, it is cold, windy and rainy, quite a dirty weather. I have nothing to do because the men could not work as the soil is slimy and there is water everywhere! But I read in the morning and received a gentleman, one of our secretaries in London, a great friend of aunt Marie's. His name is Boutinoff, he came here for a month's leave, straight fr. England and he told me he had seen you at a drawing room in March. He is the first person whom I was eager to hear from about my darling, but he had unluckily nothing particular to speak about. He had even a glimpse of a smile about the corners of his mouth — the impudent man — seeing how eager I was! Ist das aber ein Grobian? I rejoiced calmly looking through the window at his departure, the rain coming down in torrents and he doubling himself up trying to get into the carriage with two boxes under the arm — for arranging his toilet I suppose.

Yes! the camp is of no good to civilians and especially in such weather. It is still quiet in my little house, it helps me to think of my own sweet little girly-dear, it is quite calm as if I were writing in the night, what one ought not to do, but is so nice though!

After luncheon I read the papers and looked through different illustrations, the french ones are sometimes too bad, but nevertheless you can't keep from laughing out loud if even you are alone! I should very much like to know why the english papers got suddenly so interested in my coming to their country? They call a 'visit' those fools! I read it yesterday in the Pall Mall and there also it was put about you that you had left Cumberland Lodge for Harrogate for a fortnightly cure! I think it too bad of those reporters coming there and asking such stupid questions. But i was sure that would happen; in our days names incognito are hopeless and of no use; before you have started on a journey people know already everything about it!

I took a walk just now, my dog and I, we came home ¾ of an hour later looking like pigs, with lumps of dirt up to the knees. My face was as red and as wet as a juicy beefsteak and my hands like muttonchops — not quite underdone! That reminded again of my girly-darling, when you and Ella came back from the Rosenau on the eve of the great day!

What a memory the child has got! Of course you are quite right, that poor old general who lost his wife lately was certainly your neighbour at balls and suppers, rather deaf, and his brother is the admiral, who is still older than he!

We have had our dinner at 8. They made me speak about my journey, namely about China and Japan. I don't like when many people are listening to me, I don't know, I always feel uncomfortable at the idea that they might think I liked to play the part of a sort of explorer of the world. How many hundreds of ladies have been quite round the globe nowadays, there is really nothing to boast of!

After that I played the piano and thought the whole time of you, my own love. Then I sat down a while, eating a basket of strawberries, read all your sweet delightful letters through, I have already got a real literature of those treasures. If you knew what they are to me when I have not got my own little girl by my side! Oh! may God bless you, my beloved precious Alix, for this happiness, which his His greatest gift to a man! I love you more every day, my gentle Sweetheart! With tender kisses, my precious love, my own Darling, my pet, I remain ever and for ever yr. most loving, faithful and devoted

Nicky

Above: Nicholas and Alix.

Note: "Ist das aber ein Grobian?" = "Isn't he a ruffian?"

Nicholas's letter to Alix, dated October 31/November 12, 1893

Source:

Alexandra Feodorovna: Diaries and Correspondence, volume 1: Princess of Hesse, 1872-1893, pages 305 to 306, by George Hawkins, 2023

https://disk.yandex.com/mail?hash=kuDdHgzAhlj8Vmyce8roYrsV8lLetWtFFyElqTSKDCI%3D%3A

The letter:

Gatchina.

Oct. 31/Nov. 12 1893.

Dearest Alix,

Please excuse this boldness of mine of writing a few lines to tell you how sorry I was and how I deeply regret not to have been able to come and see you while Ella stayed with you. But after our returning from Denmark, a lot of important matters — one about Georgie — who luckily is quite well now, kept me back from going. You may well imagine my disapointment at te[a]sing such a splendid & chance of flying off to Pelly, after such a long time...

Because Berlin and all those ceremonies & functions for Mossy's wedding, where we generally need to be about half a mile off from each other, cannot be called a pleasant meeting. And for you poor thing especially it must be of a disagreeable recollection, as you suffered so from an ear-ache!

I do hope you are quite well and that awful pain has not come back. —

If you don't mind wouldn't you send me a photo of yours, one of the new ones, like those you sent Xenia lately? I would be so happy to have one near me. — I have to go often to town to my regiment (the Preobragenski's) and whenever I look into our garden at Anitchkoff I always think of that lovely time on the ice, which seems now to be a dream.

And now good-bye my darling Pelly. God bless you and help you in all the troubles of life.

Ever your devoted Nicky

Above: Alix.

Above: Nicholas.

Note: Pelly was one of Nicholas's nicknames for Alix and vice versa.

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated October 19, 1915

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_49829

The letter:

Царское-Село.

19го Октября 1915.

Дорогая моя Ольга душка,

Спасибо Вам большое, дорогая моя, за Ваше письмо, которое получила здесь по возвращению из Ставки, где мы были 4 дня. Очень было хорошо. До этого мы были с Мама в Твери, Рязани (?) Великих Луках и Орше. Потом к Папа.

Очень хорошо было в Могилеве, Алексей был так доволен быть там и массу интересного рассказывал, все свои впечатления. Папа ему дал Георгиевскую медаль 4 ст: по просьбе Ген. Иванова и его западной армии в которой они были. Они были в 5 вер. от окопов и слышали артиллерийскую стрельбу и видели войска. Папа и Алексей страшно довольны и говорили что чудно было. Войска были созданы для парада и сейчас после уходили обратно в окопы. Они так кричали ура, что те солдаты в окопах говорили что наверно неприятель все слышал. Ведь так близко было.

Вы напишите мне, Ольга душка, если Вы переедете из Севастополя. Я Вам пока подожду писать, что бы письма не разошлись. Сестры целуют Вас и Тату и благодарят за поклон. Надеюсь, что Тата отдохнет хорошо.

Как хорошо вышло, что она теперь с Вами, а то Вам было-бы очень грустно и скучно быть одной без мужа. Ну, досвиданья моя дорогая. Храни Вас Бог. Целую Тату. Вас же крепко крепко целую как люблю.

Ваша Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe-Selo.

October 19th, 1915.

My dear Olga darling,

Thank you very much, my dear, for your letter, which I received here on my return from Stavka, where we spent 4 days. It was very good. Before that, Mama and I were in Tver, Ryazan (?), Velikiye Luki and Orsha.  Then to Papa.

It was very good in Mogilev, Alexei was so pleased to be there and told a lot of interesting things, all his impressions. Papa gave him the St. George medal of the 4th class at the request of Gen. Ivanov and his western army in which they were. They were in 5 ver. from the trenches and heard the artillery fire and saw the troops. Papa and Alexei are terribly pleased and said that it was wonderful. The troops had been raised for the parade, and now after they were going back to the trenches. They shouted hurrah so much that those soldiers in the trenches said that the enemy must have heard everything. After all, it was so close.

You write to me, Olga darling, if you move from Sevastopol. I will wait for you to write so that the letters do not disperse. The sisters kiss you and Tata and thank you for the bow. I hope that Tata will have a good rest.

How well it turned out that she is now with you, otherwise it would be very sad and boring for you to be alone without [your] husband. Well, goodbye my dear. God bless you. I kiss Tata. I kiss you firmly as I love you.

Your Tatiana.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with Alexei.

Above: Tatiana with Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Note: Tata = Natalia K. Kleinmichel, Olga Voronova's sister.

Tatiana's letter to Olga Voronova, dated November 3, 1915

Source:

Kler Chernikina at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_49898

The letter:

Царское Село.

3го Ноября. 1915 г.

Ольга душка,

Спасибо Вам за Ваше письмо. Очень обрадовалась за Вас когда услышала, что Ваш муж назначается сюда. Как хорошо выходит, что Вы так много вместе. Алексей пишет, что он страшно доволен быть опять с Папа, и медалью он ужасно доволен и горд. За Папа мы так рады тоже, что он получил крест. Теперь эти дни я одна работаю в лазарете т. к. Мама опять устала и у нея сердце болит, а Ольга кажется просто переутомилась и ее уложили несколько дней. Но так она ничего, а утомляется стоять и что бы скорее поправилась ее и положили. — Но сейчас у нас не много работы в лазарете, т. к. мало офицеров и не у всех перевязки. Ну а после перевязок если есть время до часу, я с ними играю в какие нибудь игры. Нам пристроили гостиную т. к. раньше всем приходилось сидеть в коридоре и не было так уютно и обедают тоже все там т. к. этот дом был построен для заразных больных и он был готов как раз к началу войны и т. к. он был новый и чистый его Мама и выбрала для раненых.

А что Вы поделываете? Много-ли бываете с Эллой и как она бедняжка? Здоровы ли Ваш брат и beau-frère? Наверно Вы очень рады попасть опять на Вашу старую квартиру?

Так грустно здесь без Папа и Алексея. Но я рада что они вместе, по крайней мере Папа не так скучно. Они живут вместе в одной комнате. Общая спальня и кабинет. У Папа большой письменный стол, а у Алексея маленький, на котором он занимается с своим французским гувернером Mr. Gilliard. Вы его кажется видели в Ливадии? Алексей его очень любит. Днем Алексей ездит с Папа и остальными на прогулку за город или через Днепр. Гуляют костры устраивают. Он там таким самостоятельным завтракает со всеми масса народу и иностранцы. Он их нисколько не конфузится и разговаривает с ними по французски. По английски у него меньше выходит, но всё же ничего. —

Ну, досвиданья Ольга душка. Сердечный привет Вашему мужу. Вас крепко целую как люблю.

Ваша

Татьяна.

English translation (my own):

Tsarskoe Selo.

November 3rd. 1915.

Olga darling,

Thank you for your letter. I was very happy for you when I heard that your husband was appointed here. How good it is that you are together so much. Alexei writes that he is terribly pleased to be with Papa again, and he is terribly pleased and proud of the medal. We are so happy for Papa too that he received the cross. Now these days I work alone in the infirmary because Mama is tired again and her heart hurts, but Olga seems to be just overtired and she was laid down for several days. So she's okay, but she gets tired of standing and that she would soon recover and be laid down. But now we don't have a lot of work in the infirmary because there are few officers and not everyone has dressings. Well, after dressings, if there is time before one, I play some games with them. They added a living room for us because before everyone had to sit in the corridor and it wasn't so comfortable and everyone dined there too because this house was built for contagious patients and it was ready just in time for the start of the war, and because it was new and clean, Mama chose it for the wounded.

What are you doing? Do you spend a lot of time with Ella and how is she poor thing? Are your brother and beau-frère healthy? You must be very happy to get back to your old apartment?

So sad here without Papa and Alexei. But I'm glad that they are together, at least Papa is not so bored. They live together in the same room. Shared bedroom and office. Papa has a large desk, and Alexei has a little one, where he studies with his French tutor Mr. Gilliard. You seem to have seen him in Livadia? Alexei loves him very much. During the day Alexei goes with Papa and the others for a walk outside the city or across the Dnieper. They make bonfires. He has such an independent breakfast there with all the masses of people and foreigners. He does not embarrass them at all and speaks French with them. In English, he has less output, but still nothing. —

Well goodbye Olga darling. Hearty greetings to your husband. I kiss you firmly as I love you.

Your

Tatiana.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra with Alexei. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Alexei with Pierre Gilliard. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Tatiana with Alexei.

Note: beau-frère = brother-in-law.

Olga's letter to Alexandra, dated December 24, 1914

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_24716

The letter:

God bless You my precious sweet Mama. Do not be so sad Darling. God will help все-таки, & all will be better.

Nicholas wishes all good things. Thanks very very much for nice present & kisses hands.

Sleep well Mama Angel. I kiss & love You fearfully.

Yr. ever truly loving

girl Olga. Dec. 24 - 1914

Above: Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev at lastromanovs on VK.

Above: Olga.

Maria's letter to Alexandra, dated December 2, 1914

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_29761

The letter:

2го Декабря 1914. Ц. С. —

My beloved Mama dear!

Ужасно благодарю за милую записку и телеграмму. Утром учились, и я гуляла с Шурой. У Анастасии еще настоящего Бекера нет а только так.

Сейчас у нас был урок П. В. Он нам читал Тургеньева.

Вырезал В. Н. глаз командиру Ширванского полка. Крепко Тебя целую и люблю.

Твоя дочь.

Мария.

Храни Тебя Бог. +

English translation (my own; with original English in italics):

December 2nd 1914. Ts. S. —

My beloved Mama dear!

I thank You so awfully much for the nice note and telegram. In the morning we studied, and I walked with Shura. Anastasia still does not have a real Beker, but only like that.

Now we have had a lesson from P. V. He read Turgenev to us.

V. N. cut out the eye of the commander of the Shirvansky regiment. I kiss You firmly and love You.

Your daughter.

Maria.

God bless You. +

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Maria and Anastasia.

Note: Beker (also spelled Bekker or Becker) was a euphemism that Alexandra and her daughters used for their menstrual periods.

Alexandra's letter with a copied-out prayer for Maria, year 1914

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_31313

The letter:

1914.

"Благослови венец леца, благости Твоея Господи." —

—

"Богородице Дево, от видимого и невидимого зла сохрани мя, Пречистая, и приими молитвы моя и донеси я Сыну Твоему, да даст ми ум творити волю Его." —

Доброй Марии

от Мама. +

English translation (my own):

1914.

"Bless the crown of the head, O Lord, [with] Thy goodness." —

—

"Virgin Mother of God, save me from visible and invisible evil, Most Pure One, and accept my prayer and convey it to Thy Son, may it give me the mind to do His will." —

For good Marie

from Mama. +

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Maria.