Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated September 19, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram and letter, dated September 18 and 19, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=230&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/september15.html

The letter:

No. 127.
Tsarskoje Selo, Sept. 19-th 1915
My own sweet Darling,
To-day its four weeks you left us, it was a Saturday evening — Aug. 22-nd. Thank God we may hope to see you soon back again, in our midst — oh what a joy that will be!

Grey & rainy again. —

Thanks for having at once answered me about Yussupov, I directly telegraphed it on to Ella, it will quieten her. —

I am glad Vorontzov's escorts were so nice. How will it all be there now — that nest collecting again together — & Stana has taken there Krupensky's wife as her lady — her husband did the most harm in the talking set at the old Headquarters — & is not a good man. One must have an eye on their behaviour the whole time, they are a dangerous foe now — & as not being good people, our Friend ends your telegr.: "In the Caucasus there is little sunshine". — It hurts one that he should have changed so, but those women turn their husbands round their fingers. —

I see Ducky has been to Minsk to visit hospitals & refugees! Boris is coming to tea. — I placed my candles at Znamenia & prayed so earnestly for my Love. Then I went to our hospital & sat knitting in the different wards — I take my work so as to keep from being in the dressing station, wh. always draws me there. I only did one officer. — In the morning I finished Rost. papers, wh. I could not get done with before, tho' I read till 2 in the night in bed. —

I saw Dr. Pantiukhin fr. Livadia & we spoke about all the hospitals, sanatoriums wh. he hopes can begin their work in Jan., it will be a great boon when they are ready. —

We drove to Pavlovsk, mild, fr. time to time rained. —

Boris told me about his new nomination, wh. has overjoyed him I think, as he will have a lot to do — then I had Isa with papers. At 7 I shall go to Church with Baby. Grabbe wrote to his wife that the ministers' sitting had been stormy & that they wont do as you bid, but that you had been very energetic, a real Tsar — & I was so proud when Ania told me this — ah Lovy, do you feel yr. own strength & wisdom now, that you are yr. own master & will be energetic, decisive & not let yourself be imposed upon by others. — I liked the way Boris spoke of you & the great change in the Headquarters, & how one always gets news there now from all sides, & how cheerful you are.

God be blessed — our Friend was right. — I had a wire fr. my Vesselovsky, that he is ill & had to go from the regiment to look after his health. — Perhaps you are in Church at the same time as we are, that will be a nice feeling. — My supply train No. 1 is at Rovno & fr. there goes out & with a motor column, wh. a Prince Abamelek (fr. Odessa) formed & gave me (he is with it) they take things linnen etc. along the whole front — & they continued without harm under heavy firing — I am so glad Mekk wired fr. Vinnitsa where my big store is. — Varnava has left for Tobolsk, our Friend said we were to send him back. The old man said he was no more to show himself at the Synod. One anounces Samarin's return fr. th. Headquarters & that he at once began the work about Varnava & that he must be dismissed. Please forbid this if it is true & should reach you. — I must end now & dress for Church. Every evening fr. 9-9½ Marie, Baby, I and either Mr. Gilliard or Vladimir Nikolaievitch play "Tishe Yedesh, Dalshe Budesh." — Dinner is very cosy in the middle of the playroom. — Goodnight my beloved One, God bless and protect you guard & guide you & I cover you with kisses
Ever, Nicky, mine yr. very own loving
Wify.

I see the French people Monday at 4½, as they lunch at Elagin. Its such scandle — no flower to be had in town nor here — people stand in long files in the streets before the shops.

Abominably organised, Obolensky is an idiot — one must foresee the things — not wait till they happen. —

Nicholas's telegram:

Telegram. Stavka. 18 September, 1915.
I have immediately ordered the old man to find out about old Felix. I think it is a misunderstanding. The French General D'Amade and two officers are here, sent by Joffre. Tomorrow they are leaving for town. They will ask to be received by you; please see them. Good-night. I kiss You fondly.
NICKY.

Nicholas's letter:

Mogilev. 18 September, 1915.
PRECIOUS BELOVED SUNNY,
Your dear letters move me so deeply that I am quite in despair at being unable to answer in the same manner. I give you, perhaps, only a tenth part of what you give to me by your loving lines.

I find that, the longer our separation lasts, the deeper and firmer become the ties which bind us. A month is much. It is strange how accurately our Friend foresaw the length of time during which I was to be absent: "Thou wilt spend a month there, and then wilt thou return." Now when I leave, our Cossacks (the escort) will, of course, remain here; the other half is stationed at Tsarskoe; so Grabbe has asked me to put the barracks at your disposal — the new ones — for your wounded, till the end of the war. He came and asked me to write to you about it, knowing that this will give you pleasure.

I have just received your last dear letter of the 17th, in which you speak of the good impression which young Khvostov made on you. I was sure of it, knowing him of old, when he was Governor of Vologda, and later in Nijni. And in order not to lose time, I shall see him immediately on the day of my return, at 6 o'clock. Perhaps the elder Khvostov will do for S.'s place.

The day after our conference he asked permission to see me, and came in trembling with indignation against the others. He wanted to know whether I wished to keep him. I naturally said that I wished to do so — but now he will occupy another post. I did not tell him this, as I did not know it myself then.

19 September
It is true that the old man mentioned Kryjanov, but I rejected him. Krasheninnikov is an excellent, energetic man, and will be all right in the capacity of Minister of Justice. These are the chief questions, which I consequently hasten to answer. And now I must finish. God bless you, my precious, beloved little Birdie! Passionately and tenderly I kiss you and the children! Thank A. for her letter.
Always your old hubby
NICKY.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Above: Ella.

Above: Alexei.

Above: Grigori Rasputin.

Above: Maria.

Notes: Alexandra almost always referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".

Tishe Yedesh, Dalshe Budesh (Тише Едешь, Дальше Будеш) = The quieter you go, the further you'll be.

Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated September 16, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram, dated September 16, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=219&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/september15.html

The letter:

No. 124.
Tsarskoje Selo, Sept. 16 th 1915
My very own beloved Darling,
Ever such tender kisses and thanks for your treasure of a letter. Ah, how I love to hear fr. you, over and over I reread your letters and kiss them. Shall we really soon have you here — it seems to be too good to be true. It will then be four weeks we are separated — a rare thing in our lives, we have been such lucky creatures and therefore one feels the parting all the more. And now when times are so very hard and trying, I long quite particularly to be near you with my love and tenderness, to give you cheer and courage and to keep you up to being decided and energetic. — God help you my beloved One, to find the right issue to all the difficult questions — this is my constant earnest prayer. But I fully believe in our Friend's words that the glory of your reign is coming, ever since you stuck to your decision, against everybody's wish — and we see the good result. Continue thus, full of energy and wisdom, feeling more sure of yourself and heeding less to the advice of others. Voyeikov did not rise in my opinion this summer, I thought him cleverer and less frightened. He has never been my weakness, but I appreciate his practical brain for simple affairs and orderliness. But he is too selfsure and that has always aggravated me and his mother in law. All this must have been a good lesson to him, lets hope. Only he sticks too much to Stcherbatov, who is a null — tho' he may be a nice man — but I fear that he and Samarin are one. — Heart and soul I shall be praying for you — may the committee go off well — they made me mad last time, and when I looked through the window I did not like their faces and I blessed you over and over again from far. God give you force, wisdom and power to impress them, and to make them realise how badly they have fulfilled your orders these three weeks. You are the master — and not Gutchkov, Stcherbatov, Krivoshein, Nikolai III (as some dare call Nikolasha) Rodzianko, Savorin — they are nothing and you are all, anointed by God. —

I am too happy that Misha is with you, thats why I had to write to him — your very own brother, its just his place, and the longer he stops with you, away from her bad influence the better it is and you will get him to see things with your eyes. Do speak often about Olga, when you are out together, don't let him think badly of her. As you have much to do, tell him simply to write for you to her to tell her what you are doing — that may break the ice between them. Say it naturally, as tho' you never imagined it could be otherwise. I hope he is at last nice with good Mordvinov and does not cut that devoted, loving soul who tenderly loves him.

I do so wonder what the English wrote after you took over the command, I see no Engl. papers, so have no idea. They and the French really seem continuing to push forwards; thank goodness, that they at last could begin and let us hope it will draw some troops away from our side. After all its colossal what the Germans have to do, and one cannot but admire how well and systematically all is operated — did our "mashene" work as well as theirs wh. is of long training and preparation and had we the same amount of railways, war would for sure already have been over. Our Generals are not well enough prepared — tho' many were at the Japanese war, and the Germans have had no war since ages. How much there is to learn from them, wh. is good and necessary for our nation and other things one can turn away from with horror. There was little news in the papers, and you wired last night that the news was good, so that means that we are firmly keeping them at bay. — There are 9 degr. this morning, and it is grey and rainy, not inviting weather. —

Little Nadinka Arseniev is coming to me this morning — poor girl, she was so touched by my letter and yr. sympathy I expressed them all, that she begged me to see her, as none had written so kindly. Poor, foolish child, what will become of her and her brother with all their old nurses and governesses. Her Father was everything to her in life. —

All my thoughts are with you, Sweetheart and those odious Ministers, whose opposition makes me rage — God help you to impress them with yr. firmness and knowledge of the situation and yr. great disapprouval of their behaviour — wh. at such a moment is nothing else but treacherous. But personally I think you will be obliged to change Stcherbatov, Samarin probably longnosed Sazonov and Krivoshein too — they wont change and you cannot keep such types to fight against a new Duma.

How one is tired of all these questions — the war is quite enough and all the misery it has brought and now one must think and work to set all to rights and see that nothing is wanted for the troops, wounded, cripples, families, and refugees. — I shall anxiously await a telegram fr. you, tho' you wont be able to put much in it. —

I am glad my long letters don't bore you and that you feel cosy reading them. I cannot talk with you on paper at least, otherwise it would be too hard, this separation and all the rest wh. worries one. —

Gregory telegraphed that Suslik shld. return and then made us understand that Khvostov wld. be good. You remember, he went once to see him (I think by yr. wish) to N. Novgorod. — I do so long for at last things to go smoother and let you feel you can quite give yourself up to the war and its interests. — How do you think about what I wrote of Ivanov as aid, so as that Alexeiev wont carry all the responsibility when you are off and on away, here or inspecting the troops, wh. I do wish you could soon do — en passant, without preparation by motor fr. a bigger place — nobody will watch 2 motors or 3 even and you could rejoice yr. heart and theirs. — Xenia and Sandro lunch, Aunt Sasha comes to tea and then, I think, I must go for the carrying out of the body of Arseniev as thats not long and then to-morrow to the funeral at Znamenia.

I am so glad the flowers arrive fresh — they cheer up the room and they come out of my vases with all my love and tenderness. — I wonder, whether you asked Stcherbatov what he meant by telling you that nothing wld. be printed in the papers about the speeches at Moscou, when they wrote whatsoever they wished. Coward that he is! —

I am choosing photos. I made, so as to have an album printed for Xmas (like A. Alex's) for charity, and I think it will sell well, as the small albums with my photos sold at once here this summer — and in the Crimea. —

Went for a drive to Pavlovsk with Anastasia, Marie and Ania, — the weather was lovely, the sun shone and all glittered like gold, a real treat such weather. At first I placed candles before the Virgin's Image, and St. Nicolas at Znamenia and prayed fervently for you. Church was being cleaned up, palms being stood and blue carpets arranged for poor Arseniev. Aunt Sasha took tea and chattered a lot and abused nobody, I could not keep her long as wanted to go with Olga to the funeral procession — of course because of the old woman we were late and they were just carrying him out, so we followed with Nadinka till the street and he was put on the funeral car and then we came home, as I go to-morrow to the funeral. Stepanov, — Ella had sent, — Skariatin, her old brother was there, Balashov; the 2 sons, Benkendorf, Putiatin, Nebolsin and 2 officers of the Naval corps. — Nadinka had been with me in the morning — talked a lot and did not cry, very caressing and grateful. She begs you whether she might remain on living in the little house with her poor brother, as they lived there so long with the Parents and their graves are at Tsarskoje. — Perhaps one might for the present at least, don't you think so? Ella wrote and wishes me to give over how much she thinks of you and with what love and constant prayers. I send you a paper of hers wh. read through and find out the truth about it, please — Voyeikov can do that, or still better from your new staff. — I don't need the paper again. —

How one longs to fly away together and forget all — one gets at times so weary — my spirit is good but so disgusted with all one says. I fear Gadon is playing a bad part at Elagin, because one says the conversations there against our Friend are awfull — old Mme Orlov had heard this — she knows ladies who go there. When you see poor Motherdear, you must rather sharply tell her how pained you are, that she listens to slander and does not stop it, as it makes mischief, and others wld. be delighted, I am sure, to put her against me — people are so mean. — How I wish Misha could be a help in that. — Precious one we met some of the Cosacks riding at Pavlovsk and I loved them not only for themselves, but because they had seen and guarded you and been in battle. —

Beloved, I must end. God Almighty bless and protect, guard and guide you now and ever.
I kiss you with endless tenderness and fathomless love, ever yr. very own
Sunny.

Xenia looks better, they told nothing interesting.

So anxious how all went off.

Nicholas's telegram:

Telegram. Stavka. 16 September, 1915.
Thanks for good wishes. The conference passed off well.

I told them my opinion sternly to their faces. I am sorry that I had no time to write. Lovely weather. The news is much better. I love you and kiss you fondly.
NICKY.

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

Above: Maria and Anastasia.

Above: Anna Vyrubova.

Above: Olga.

Notes: Alexandra almost always referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".

en passant = in passing.

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.

Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated September 4, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram and letter, dated September 4 and 5, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=190&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/september15.html

The letter:

No. 112.
Tsarskoje Selo, Sept. 4-th 1915
My very own Sweetheart,
I have remained in bed this morning, feeling deadtired, & having slept badly. My brain continued working & talking — I had spoken so much yesterday & always upon the same subject until I became cretinized; & this morning I continued to Botkin, as its good for him & helps him put his thoughts to right, as they also did not grasp things as they were. One has to be the medicine to the muddled minds after the microbes from town — ouff! She got his telegram yesterday, perhaps you will copy it out & mark the date Sept. 3-rd on the paper I gave you when you left with his telegr. written down: "Remember the promise of the meeting, this was the Lord showing the banner of victory, the children or those near to the heart should say, set us go along the ladder of the banner, our spirit has nothing to fear."

And your spirit is up so is mine & I feel enterprising & ready to talk away. It must be alright & will be — only patience & trust in God. Certainly, our losses are colossal, the guard had dwindled away, but the spirits are unflinchingly brave. All that is easier to hear than the rottenness here. I know nothing about the strikes as the papers (luckily) don't say a word about them. —

Ania sends her love — wont you wire to me to, "thank for letters, Image, toffee" — it would make her happy.

Aunt Olga was suddenly announced to me yesterday evening at 10½ — my heart nearly stood still, I thought already one of the boys was killed — thank God it was nothing, she only wanted to know whether I knew what was going on in town & then I had to let forth again, for the fourth time in one day, & put things clearer to her, as she could not grasp some things & did not know what to believe.

She was very sweet, dear Woman. — Here is a paper for Alexeiev, you will remember the same officer asked some time ago about forming a legion; well, you will think about it — perhaps it would do no harm to form it & keep it in reserve in case of disorders or let it replace another regiment wh. might come more back as a rest. — The legion of Letts, are you having it disbanded into other existing regiments, as you had intended & wh. would be safer in all respects & more correct.

The Children have begun their winter-lessons, Marie & Anastasia are not contented, but Baby does not mind & is ready for more, so I said the lessons were to last all 50 instead of 40 minutes, as now, thank God, he is so much stronger. — All day long letters & telegrams come — but its yours I await all day with intense longing. —
I want to go to Church this evening. — Ania sends you her fondest love. Got finer after luncheon & we drove. The girls had a concert. — So anxious for news. — Kiss you endlessly, my love & long for you. When you come, I suppose it will only be for a few days? — Have nothing interesting to tell you, alas. All my thoughts incessantly with you. Send you some flowers, cut the stalks a little, then they will last longer.
God bless you
Ever yr. very own old
Wify.

Love to Kirill & Dmitri & Boris. —

Nicholas's telegram:

Telegram. Stavka. 4 September, 1915.
I thank you for your dear letter; Tatiana as well. I have made arrangements about a motor car for Ella. She will receive it in a week's time. It is cooler after the rain. Greetings to you from the cousins who are here. I kiss all tenderly.
NICKY.

Nicholas's letter:

Uglich. 4 September, 1915.
MY OWN DARLING,
I kiss you countless times for your dear letters; the last two smelt delightfully of your scent, which has come through — even through the envelope, in the form of a greasy patch! When you see Paul, tell him that I intend to send him later on to the armies. George is now transferring from one army to another. He telegraphed that, on the 1st of September, his train was bombed at Lida by Zepp. and aeroplanes, and that about 20 people were killed! Boris arrived yesterday with interesting papers for me from Gen. Olokhov — he has replaced Besobrazov. It is pleasant to hear from all sides such praise of Boris, and of how he is loved, not only by his regiment, but by others as well. I have had the idea of appointing him Field Hetman in place of the excellent Gen. Pokotilo, who has gone back about a fortnight ago to the Don. I am sure that you will ask me: why not Misha? — but I want to try keeping him with me; and later on we will see. Perhaps he can get the command of the Cavalry Corps of Khan-Nakhichevansky.

A few days ago I received a request from Yussoupov, asking me to release him from Moscow, and I have agreed to it, all the more readily as the very good and energetic Gen. Mrosovsky has only just been appointed Commandant of the troops of the Moscow military district.

He commanded a grenadier corps there, and in the war, knows the town and will prove his worth, I hope, when the moment comes.

You ask me about the reception of the 3 German sisters. I think, of course, yes — especially as Mamma is receiving them. Here such things seem very much simpler and clearer. My darling, I miss you so terribly at times, and I feel so lonely!!! The Germans are pouring into the gap between our troops at Dvinsk, and through others at Vilna; this causes great anxiety to Alexeiev, as there are no details and no information. Their cavalry patrols, with the infantry following behind, have come up to the railway line at Polotzk! This movement upsets our plans of bringing up reserves to the two [...] mentioned. It is enough to make one desperate when one is unable to move and concentrate troops as quickly as one would desire.

He (Alex.) told me to-day that he considers it imperative to move the Stavka, and he thinks Kalouga a suitable place for it. This vexes me very much, as I shall again feel myself far away from the army. He has sent someone, as well as Voeikov, to select a suitable locality. Perhaps he is right, but I do not like the idea at all. If God will again vouchsafe us His blessing, we shall be able to stop this advance of the enemy — then, of course, the Stavka will remain at Mogilev, which is both convenient and expedient — everything is near at hand here.

My friend, Gen. Williams, has shown me a telegram telling me of the safe arrival of two new submarines in the Baltic Sea. We have now five English submarines in our fleet. That, if you remember, is the result of my telegram to Georgie — the one I sent him before my departure. Have you seen in the newspapers the speeches by Kitchener and Lloyd George on the war, and on the part played in it by Russia? It is very true. If only God would grant that they and the French began now — it is long overdue!
I have just received your dear, letter with two newspaper cuttings and Marie's letter. I thank you with all my heart for all that you write to me, and for the box of sweets, which are delicious. Tomorrow I shall receive Shcherbatov, who is coming here, and also Polivanov. Dimka C. Golytzin has asked permission to go later to Tiflis — he will make a good assistant to Nicol., as he knows the local society and people well — and I have allowed him to follow N. It is better for him to be surrounded by good men!

Well, I must finish; it is already late. Good-night, sleep well, my precious Wify.

5 September.
Good-morning, my beloved Sunny. It is dull and cold and looks like rain. I have now to receive two deputations, and afterwards I am going to the usual Report. It is Ella's namesday to-day. God bless you, my precious Wify, you and the children! I kiss you all tenderly.

Please give this little note to A.
NICKY.

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev.

Above: Maria and Anastasia.

Above: Alexei.

Notes: "She got his telegram yesterday" = Anna (Ania) Vyrubova had received a telegram from Grigori Rasputin.

Letts = Latvians.

Nicholas's letter to Maria, dated September 12, 1915

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_23220

The letter:

Могилев. 12 сентября 1915 г.

Милая моя Мари,

Очень тебя благодарю за твои письма, которые меня веселят, тем что ты в них пишешь, в также вследствие некоторого количества ошибок.

Рад за тебя, что Н. Д. остался в Царском Селе, но этим он потерял свою службу на "Работнике". Ездила ли ты с Мама недавно в Петергоф? Я люблю вспоминать наши поездки туда по праздникам летом. Здесь течет Днепр и мне с самого начала хотелось погрести в лодке, но до сих пор это почему-то не выходит; только два раза пришлось переехать реку на пароме вместе с моторами. У меня времени очень мало и поэтому я должен кончить письмо. Крепко тебя обнимаю мой дорогой Казанец.

Христос с тобою!

Твой Папа.

English translation (my own):

Mogilev. September 12, 1915

My dear Marie,

I thank you very much for your letters, which amuse me with the fact that you write in them, and also due to a certain number of errors.

I am glad for you that N. D. remained at Tsarskoe Selo, but by doing so he has lost his service on "Rabotnik". Did you and Mama recently go to Peterhof? I love to remember our trips there on holidays in the summer. The Dnieper flows here and from the very beginning I have wanted to row in a boat, but for some reason it still doesn't work out; only twice I had to cross the river on a ferry with motors. I have very little time and therefore I must finish the letter. I hug you tightly, my dear Kazanets.

Christ be with you!

Your Papa.

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

Above: Nicholas and Alexandra. Photo courtesy of Ilya Grigoryev on Flickr.

Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated August 27, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram and letter, dated August 27, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=175&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/august15.html

The letter:

No. 103.

Tsarskoje Selo, Aug. 27-th 1915

My very own beloved One,

I wonder wheter you get my letters every day — pitty so far away & all the trains passing now stop the movement — Again only 8 degrees, but the sun seems to wish to appear. Do you get a walk daily, or are you too much occupied? Baby slept very well, woke up only twice for a moment, & the arm aches much less I am happy to say; no bruise is visible, only swollen, so I think he might be dressed to-day. When he is not well I see much more of him, wh. is a treat (if he does not suffer, as that is worse than anything). Olga & Tatiana returned after 7 from town, so I went with Marie to the lower church 6½-8. This morning I go with the two little ones upstairs at 10½, as the others have Church before 9 below. — My fasting consists now of not smoking, as I fast since the beginning of the war, & I love being in Church. I do want to go to Holy Communion & the Priest agrees, never finds it too early to go again & it gives strength — shall see. Those soldiers that care, will also go. — Saturday is the anniversary of our stone! — Css. Grabbe told Ania yesterday, that Orlov & wife were raging in town, at being sent away, turned out — wh. shocked others — he told her too that N. P. was going to replace him (I was sure he had had it put into the papers) an ugly trick, after his wife having begged N. P. to come & talked with him — such are people. Many are glad, who knew his dirty money affairs and the way he allowed himself to speak about me. — Will you find time to scrawl a line once? We get no news, as I told N. P. better not to wire nor write for the present, after that ugly story at the H.-Q.

Wonder what news. You will let them send me telegr. again, wont you, Deary. — Baby dear is up & half dressed, lunched at table with us & had the little boys to play with. He would not go out, said he did not feel strong enough, but would to-morrow — he did not write yet, because he could not hold the paper with his left hand. We dine up there again — its cosy & not so lonely as down here without you. Well, this morning I went with the two youngest at 10½ to mass & Te Deum with lovely prayers for you to the Virgin & St. Serafim — from there we went to our hospital, all were off to the Te Deum in the little grotto church there so we went again — & now at 6½ to evening service. I hope very much to go to holy Communion on Saturday, I think many soldiers go too, so Sweetheart please forgive yr. little wify if in any way I grieved or hurt you, & for having bored you so much these trying weeks. I shall wire if sure I go, & you pray for me then, as I for you — its for you somehow this fasting, church, daily Te Deum, & so Holy Communion will be a special blessing & I shall feel you one with me, my dearly beloved Angel, very, very own Huzy. — Here I enclose a pretty telegr. fr. Volodia I want you to read. — Paul came to tea, very quiet & nice. About himself he spoke, & I said what we had spoken about, that you hoped taking him or sending him about. He wants in no way to be pushy or forward, but longs to serve you, wont bother you with a letter, asks me to give all this over to you. Or if you wld. send him to some armycorps under a good general — ready for anything & full of good intentions. Wont you think it over & speak with Alexeiev & then let me know please. — We spoke about Dmitri, dont repeat it to him — it worries him awfully & he is so displeased, that he stuck for ever in the H.-Q., finds he ought absolutely not to stay there, as its very bad for him, spoils him & he thinks himself then a very necessary personage. Paul was greatly discontented that he came now & sorry you did not shut him up quicker, instead of allowing him to try & mix up in things about wh. he understands nothing. —

Best if he returned into the regiment wh. uniform he was the honour to wear & in wh. he serves. In speaking about the G. a Cheval, Paul said that he found a new commander ought to be named, this ones wound does not heal, he has received everything, done all he could & the regiment cannot get along with only youngsters & no real Commander — as he says any good one fr. the war, no matter who he is, only that he should be good, so you will perhaps also talk this over (not with Dmitri) with Alexeiev. Buchanan brought me over 100.000 p. again, he wishes you also every success! Cannot bear town any more. Says what difficulty to get wood, & he wants to get his provisions now already & is waiting since 2 months & now hears it wont come. One ought to get a good stock beforehand, as with these masses of refugees who will be hungry & freezing. Oh, what misery they go through, masses die on the way & get lost & one picks up stray children everywhere.

Now must be off. I bless & kiss you a 1000 times very, very tenderly, with yearning love. Ever yr. own old

Alix.

Wont the Duma be shut at last — why need you be here for that? How the fools speak against the military censors, shows how necessary.

All our love to N. P.

Nicholas's telegram:

Telegram. Stavka. 27 August, 1915.

Hearty thanks for letter and greetings. In view of the dampness of the wood, where the train was standing, I have taken up residence in the Governor's house. The Staff is also here, next to me, which is still more convenient. Everyone is pleased with this move. Cool, rainy weather. I hope that all are well. Fond kisses.

Nicky.

Nicholas's letter:

Mogiliev. 27 August, 1915.

MY OWN DARLING, PRECIOUS SUNNY,

My heartfelt thanks for your 2 sweet letters. How long it takes for them to reach me! The trains move very irregularly, owing to the tremendous work on the lines. From a military point of view, this is one of our greatest difficulties.

The troops, the war materials, the supplies go in one direction, and the evacuation — and especially these unhappy begentzi — in the opposite!

It is quite impossible to restrain these poor people from their homes in face of the attacking enemy, as nobody wishes to be left in the hands of the Germans or Austrians. Those who cannot find room in the trains walk or travel by road, and, as the cold weather is coming, this pilgrimage is beginning to be terribly distressing; the children suffer very acutely, and many of them, unfortunately, die on the way.

All local authorities and the members of various committees work hard and do all in their power — I know that; but they confess frankly that they cannot do everything. It is frightful to think how many unforeseen sufferings the war has brought with it, not counting the usual calamities which always follow in its wake!

And yet it must finish some time!!!

I cannot tell you how pleased I am with Gen. Alexeiev. What a conscientious, clever and modest man he is — and what a worker!

His reports are of quite a different sort from the ones I received before. He works alone, but has two little Generals — Poustovoitenko and Borissov — who have been with him for many years, and who help him in details and in questions of secondary importance.

But I am afraid that I am boring you with this dry subject. Thanks for sending me N.'s letter — I believe that he is sincere and wrote what he thinks. In any case it is very interesting, as it shows that sometimes he has an opinion of his own, independent of what those around him think.

I am very glad of Vol. Troub's exploits; this man has undoubtedly earned the Cross of St. George, which I hope he will soon receive.

I see Mitia Dehn every day now. He looks quite well, walks fairly decently, but has nothing to do, and is desperately bored after ten years of active life on the Black Sea. He wants to get some work near us. And the old man suggested: could he not be put in charge of our garage instead of that fat Orlov? What do you think of it? I think it is a very good idea.

The little wood in which our train stood was very snug, but owing to the rains it became damp there, even in the carriages; therefore I decided that it would be better and simpler to move into the town, in order to be nearer my Staff and to live in a house. The building is old, but quite convenient, with a little garden and a delightful view over the Dnieper and the distant country — positively Kiev in miniature.

N. was in the habit of inviting foreigners to lunch, and I mean to continue this custom. There are only 20 of us at the table in a spacious dining-room.

The last two mornings, since my coming to the town, I received, before the reports, the dvorianstvo and the higher ranks of the administration. Now the official part of my residence here is finished (the official ceremonies in connection with my coming into residence here are over). I drove twice in the car to the other side of the river — a charming, attractive piece of wooded country with excellent roads. Dmitry's bad temper has entirely vanished — I am thinking of the mood he was in that day at Tsarskoe. He is now doing orderly officer, taking turns with N. P. and Dm. Sherem. He asked me to send you his greetings — he has become his old self again.

I have been fasting for the last three days and shall try to go to church before Sunday. Good-bye, my precious Wify, my Ray of Sunshine. I kiss you and the dear children fondly. God bless you!

Always your old hubby

Nicky.

I have just received your sweet letter No. 334. Thousands of thanks! I am glad that you are calm.

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.

Notes: begentzi (беженцы) = refugees.

dvorianstvo (дворянство) = nobility.

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.

Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated August 26, 1915, and Nicholas's telegram, dated August 26, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=175&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/august15.html

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.

Alexandra's letter to Nicholas, dated August 25, 1915, and Nicholas's letter, dated August 25, 1915

Sources:

Letters of the Tsaritsa to the Tsar, 1914-1916, published by Duckworth & Co., 1923

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=inu.30000011396573&view=1up&seq=173&skin=2021

https://www.alexanderpalace.org/letters/august15.html

The letter:

No. 101.

Tsarskoje Selo, Aug. 25-th 1915

My own Sweetheart,

Thanks for your dear telegram, Lovy. I am glad the country near Mohilev is pretty — Glebov always said it was very picturesque — but that was natural, as he was born there. But still I suppose you will choose a nearer place, so as that you can quicker & easier move about. When do my letters reach you? I give them out at 8 & they leave town at 11 at night. — Am anxiously awaiting when the change will be made public. It is pouring again & quite dark. — Baby's night was not famous, slept little, but pain not too strong. Olga & Tatiana sat with him fr. 11½-12½ & they kept him cheery. — In the papers, there was an article as tho' people, 2 men & a woman had been cought near Varsovie, who were going to make an attempt upon Nikolasha's life — people say Savorin invented it to be more interesting (the censor told A. those were "canards"). A month ago all the redacteurs from the St. Pbg. were at the H.-Q. & Janushkevitch gave them his instructions, — this the military censor, under Frolov told A. — Samarin seems to be continuing to speak against me, well all the better, he too will fall into the pit he is digging for me. Those things dont touch me one atom & leave me personally cold, as my conscience is clear & Russia does not share his opinions — but I am angry, because it indirectly touches you. We shall hunt for a successor. —

How do you find work with Alexeiev? Pleasant & quick I am sure. Have no particular news; only Mekk let me know that my central stores (Lvov, Kovno) fr. Proskurov will probably have to move in 5 weeks to Poltava — I cannot grasp why, & hope it will not be necessary. Marie's ladies fr. Jitomir ask if one has to evacuate that town, where her hospital is to move to — all this is a bit early to decide, I think. — How very sad Molostvov's death is, I hear you have made Velepolsky your a. d. c. I suppose Voyeikov begged for him — he is not a very sympathetic man & such a "saloon" fellow. I suppose his health obliges him to leave the regiment & therefore you take him — but the Suite ought not to be a place like the honor. curator, where one pokes people into it. I alas, begged for my Maslov, but he had commanded the reg. for several months at the war already. Vel. is Olga O's sweetheart (a great secret she had to make a fausse couche fr. him a few years ago) he was not nice to her after — not a famous type, but Vojeikov's friend, so suppose good officer. —

The enclosed picture is for N. P. —

Is not this ugly, again somebody wishing to be nasty to N. P., so you better tell Fred. to have printed (privately not fr. his name) that there wont be a lieutenant as you have now the big chancellry & Dr. & Kira remain on; it comes I am sure fr. the same source as the story of the telegr. then at the H.-Q. I fastened so, for you to show Vojeikov as easy to slip out — one need only let the military censor Vissarionov know what to write, as he is Frolov's chief censor & a good man; — its Suvorin's doing, last night & this morning. — So anxious no telegram yet, cannot imagine why the change has not been officially announced, it would have cleared & uplifted the minds & quicker have changed the current of thoughts in the Duma. I thought to-day was already the longest to wait as N. leaves — now yr. yesterday's wire was fr. H.-Q. — on Sunday evening Imp. H.-Q., it sounded so nice & promising. These are fasting days approaching fr. to-morrow on, so the news ought to have come before & the Te Deum, its a mistake all falling to-gether, was necessary beforehand, forgive my saying this — who again begged you put off the official announcement, did wrong — no harm N. being there, as it will be known you were working already with Alexeiev. It was a bad council — how against it one party is, one sees it by this. The quicker officially known, the calmer all spirits, all get nervous awaiting the news wh. never comes — its never good such a situation & false — & only cowards can have proposed it to you, as Voyeikov & Fred. they think of N. before you — its wrong being kept secret, none think of the troops who are yearning for the good news — I see my black trousers are needed at the H.-Q., too bad, idiots — & such perfection the jubilation & then fasting to pray for your success — & Tuesday passes & nothing; out of despair I wired this morning early, but got no answer & its already 7 o'clock. — Marie, A & I went to Cath. C. again & then to the hospital, where I talked with the wounded. We lunched upstairs & will dine there too. The rain & darkness make one quite ramolie. Baby has much less pain & slept in the morning.

Helene & Vsevolod came to tea & then I received my lancer Toll with more photos. He says Kniazhevitch entreats to receive our brigade instead of Schwedov. Then I sent for the Commandant Ossipov to speak about the cemetry & Church I built for the dead of this war in our hospitals, to clear up that question. —

Mme Lopukhin, wife of the Vologda gov. wrote to me, because her husbands heart is so much worse again. Botk. & Sirotinin find too that his health cannot stand the strain of work he has. If you made him Senator, he could serve there & it would be a rest for a time, & perhaps later cld. get more to do if heart improves. He has served 25 years. It would be good if you could have this done. —

My Sunshine, I miss so very much, but am glad you are away. — You can let yr. ministers come by turn with their report — it will freshen them up too. I hope you sleep well. — Don't forget to wire to Georgie etc. when at last all is official. Goodbye my treasure, I bless & kiss you without end, every precious, dearly beloved place.

Ever, Nicky mine, yr. very own old

Wify.

The stories about Varnava, a monk fr. there came to let me know, are untrue. Samarin wants to get rid of him. —

Orlovsky is the name our Friend wld. like as gov., he is the president of the Etchequer chamber at Perm. You remember he gave you a book he wrote about Tcherdyn where a Romanov is buried & one considers him a saint.

Nicholas's letter:

Stavka. 25 August, 1915.

MY OWN BELOVED, DARLING SUNNY,

Thank God it is all over, and here I am with this new heavy responsibility on my shoulders! But God's will be fulfilled! I feel so calm — a sort of feeling after the Holy Communion!

The whole morning of that memorable day. Aug. 23, while coming here, I prayed much and read your first letter over and over again. The nearer the moment of our meeting, the greater the peace that reigned in my heart.

N. came in with a kind, brave smile, and asked simply when I would order him to go. I answered in the same manner that he could remain for two days; then we discussed the questions connected with military operations, some of the generals and so forth, and that was all.

The following day at lunch and dinner he was very talkative and in a very good mood, such as we have not seen him in for many months. Pet. too; but the expression on his adjutant's face was of the gloomiest — it was quite amusing.

I must do justice to my gentlemen, beginning with old Fr. — they behaved well, and I did not hear one discordant note, not one word at which one could cavil.

Naturally, while N. is here I have requested him to be present both mornings at the report. Alexeiev makes them so well. He was touched by the little ikon and the blessing which you sent through me. N. repeated to me that he was going from here quite calmly, knowing that I had such help in Alexeiev. We spoke a good deal about the Caucasus. He is fond of it, and is interested in the people and in the beautiful country, but he begs not to be left there for long after the end of the war. He has immediately put on a beautiful old Circassian sword — a present which Shervashidze gave him several years ago — and will wear it all the time. He intends to stay in Pershin for twelve days, and then go straight to Tiflis and meet the old Count V. at Rostov-on-Don. The whole collection of black women will join him at Kiev at his place, and they will all go together!

A new clean page begins, and only God Almighty knows what will be written on it!

I have signed my first prikaz and have added a few words with a rather shaky hand!

We have only just finished our evening meal, after which I had a long conversation with Laguiche, and later with Gen. Williams.

Both Georgie and the King of the Belgians have replied to my telegrams, in which I informed them of our changes here — and so promptly!

I am so glad that you have spoken to old Gor. and have consoled him. Please tell him, next time, from me, that as soon as the Council of State and the Duma finish their work they must be adjourned, no matter whether I shall be back by that time or shall still be here!

Why not see Kroupensky? — he is a trustworthy man, and might perhaps tell you something worth while.

Think, my Wify, will you not come to the assistance of Your hubby now that he is absent? What a pity that you have not been fulfilling this duty for a long time or at least during the war!

I know of no more pleasant feeling than to be proud of you, as I have been all these past months, when you urged me on with untiring importunity, exhorting me to be firm and to stick to my own opinions.

We had only just finished playing dominoes when I received through Alexeiev a telegram from Ivanov, who reports that to-day our 11th Army (Schcherbatchev's) in Galicia attacked two German divisions (the 3rd Guard and the 48th Infantry) with the result that they have captured over 150 officers and 700 men, 30 guns and many poulemeti.

And this happened immediately after our troops learnt that I have taken upon myself the Supreme Command. This is truly God's blessing, and such a swift one!

Now I must finish; it is already late, and I must go to bed.

God bless you, my beloved treasure, my Ray of Sunshine!

Tenderly and again tenderly do I kiss you and the dear children.

Give her my warm greetings.

Always your old hubby

Nicky.

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

Notes: Alexandra almost always referred to Grigori Rasputin as "our Friend".

ramolie = exhausted.

prikaz (приказ) = order.

poulemeti (пулемёты) = machine guns.

Anastasia's letter to Nicholas, dated April 29, 1914

Source:

Olga Grigor'eva at lastromanovs on VK

https://vk.com/lastromanovs?w=wall-56510987_21865

The letter:

29 Апреля

1914 Ливадия

Дорогой мой Душка

Папа!

Так жалко что у нас туман и тебе тоже не интересно ехать в тумане но там наверно не будет. Мы с Мари проснулись в 6 ч. и вот лежа мы тебе пишим. Мы боялись что мы проспим. Если будет хорошо и тумана не будет то мы хотим пойти на крышу очень интересно там вособенности для Марии. Я чувствую себя как Мама потому что я лежу и у меня такая же штучка стоит как и у ее, от Бабушки моя. У меня все одеяло упало на пол мне холодно было лежать. Сашке наверно тошно но он не говорит.

Вообще я буду думать где ты едешь а ты будешь знать где, а я нет. Что мы будем делать сегодня днем незнаю. Я надеюсь что-нибудь интересное. Мне скоро надо кончать. Мари меня торопит и боится что кто-нибудь войдет. Я не могу хорошо писать утром никогда. Ты пожалуйста не скучай без меня! Всем поклоны кроме старика кому ты едешь. Крепко крепко тебя целую любящая тебя твоя преданнейшая дочь

Настася. Р. П. З. С. Г.

Не скучай!!!

English translation (my own):

April 29

1914 Livadia

My Dear Darling

Papa!

It's a pity that we have fog and you are also not interested in driving in the fog, but it probably won't be there. Marie and I woke up at 6 o'clock, and here we are, lying down, writing to you. We were afraid that we would oversleep. If it goes well and there is no fog, then we want to go to the roof, it is very interesting there, especially for Marie. I feel like Mama because I'm lying [down] and I have the same little thing as hers, from my Grandmama. My whole blanket fell on the floor, I was cold to lie down. Sasha is probably sick, but he does not speak.

In general, I will think [about] where you are going and you will know where, but I don't. I don't know what we're going to do today. I hope something interesting. I have to finish soon. Marie is rushing me and is afraid that someone will come in. I can never write well in the morning. Please don't miss me! Regards to everyone except the old man to whom you are going. I kiss you firmly, your loving most devoted daughter

Nastasya. R. P. Z. S. G.

Don't miss [me]!!!

Above: Alexandra.

Above: Anastasia.

Above: Maria and Anastasia.

Above: Nicholas.