SEPTEMBER 1914

Telegram.

Novoborissov. 21 September, 1914.

Sincere thanks for dear letter. Hope you slept and feel well. Rainy, cold weather. In thought and prayer I
am with you and the children. How is the little one? Tender kisses for all. Nicky.

Telegram.

Stavka. 21 September, 1914

Praise be to God, who granted us yesterday the victory at Souvalky and Mariampol. I have arrived safely.
A thanksgiving Te Deum has only just been sung in the local military church. Have received your
telegram; am feeling splendid. I hope all are well. Embrace you closely. Nicky.

Telegram.

Stavka. 22 September, 1914.

Hearty thanks for sweet letter. General Rouszky was presented tome to-day. He told me much of interest
about his famous battles in Galicia. I have appointed him Adjutant-General. Here it is quiet and calm.
Embrace all closely.

Nicky.

NOTES: Rouszxy: General N. V. Rouszky, the Commander of the 3rd Army. He had been a professor in
the Military Academy, and had held various Staff appointments in the Guards. In the Manchurian
campaign of 1904-5 he was Chief of Staff to General Kaulbars, who commanded the 2nd Army. Shortly
before the war of 1914 he was assisting the Minister of War, Soukhomlinov, in the reorganisation of the
forces. He succeeded Jilinsky as Commander of the Northwest Front in September, 1914. General
Polivanov (who became Minister of War in 1915) considered him as the best general in the service, and
he was described by Sir Alfred Knox as "a clear thinker." At the time of the Tsar's abdication he played
an important part in the course of events. Killed by the Bolsheviks in October 1918.

Stavka. 22 September, 1914

MY BELOVED DARLING WIFY,

Sincerest thanks for dear letter which you gave to my messenger - I read it before going to sleep.
How terrible it was parting from you and the dear children, though I knew that it was not for long. The
first night I slept badly, because the engines jerked the train roughly - at each station. I arrived here the
next day at 5.30; it was cold and raining hard. Nicolasha met me at the station at Baranovitchi, and then
we were led to a charming wood in the neighbourhood, not far (5 minutes' walk) from his own train. The
pine forest reminds me strongly of the wood in Spala; the ground is sandy and not at all damp.

On my arrival at the Stavka I went to a large wooden church belonging to the Railway Brigade to a short
thanksgiving Te Deum, at which Shavelsky officiated. Here I saw Petiusha, Kyrill, and the whole of
Nicolasha's Staff. Some of these gentlemen dined with me, and in the evening Yanoushkevitch made a
long and interesting report to me in their train, where, as I expected, the heat was terrible! I thought of
you - how lucky that you are not here I insisted on their changing the sort of life they lead here, at least
before me.

To-day at 10 o'clock I was present at the usual morning report, which N. receives in a little house beside
his train, from his two chief assistants, Yanoushkevitch and Danilov.

They both report very clearly and concisely. They read through the reports of the preceding day which
have come in from the Army Commanders and ask for orders and instructions from N. for the next
operations. We bent over enormous maps covered with blue and red lines, numbers, dates and such like.
On my return home I shall give you a short summary of all this. Just before lunch General Rouszky
arrived, a pale, thin man, with two new Orders of St. George on his breast. I have appointed him
Adjutant-General for our last victory on the Prussian frontier - the first since his appointment. After lunch
we had our photographs taken in a group with the whole of N.'s Staff. In the morning, after the report, I
went for a walk round the whole of our Staff quarters and passed through the ring of sentries, then came
on the outposts of the Cossack Life-Guards, set out far into the forest. They spend the nights in mud huts,
quite warmly and comfortably. Their duty is to keep a look-out for aeroplanes. Excellent, smiling fellows,
with tufts of hair sticking out from under their caps. The whole regiment is quartered very near the
church, in the little wooden houses of the Railway Brigade.

Gen. Ivanov has gone to Warsaw and will return to Kholm on Wednesday, so that I shall stay here for
another 24 hours, not changing my programme in other respects.

I am leaving here to-morrow night, and shall arrive in Rovno on Wednesday morning; shall stay there till
I o'clock, and then start for Kholm, where I shall arrive about 6 o'clock in the evening. On Thursday
morning I shall be in Bielostok, and, if it proves possible, shall look in without previous warning at
Osovetz. I am not sure about Grodno - that is, I do not know whether I shall stop there - I am afraid all the
troops have set out for the frontier.

I had a delightful walk with Drenteln in the wood, and on my return found the thick package with your
letter and six books.

Warmest thanks, my dear, for your precious lines. How interesting is that part of Victoria's letter which
you have so kindly copied for me!

I had heard from Benckendorf some time ago about the friction between the English and the French at the
beginning of the war. Both of the foreign attachés here have gone to Warsaw for a few days, so that I
shall not see them this time.
It is difficult to believe that a great war is raging not far from this place; everything seems so peaceful and
quiet. The life here reminds me more of those old days when we stayed here during manoeuvres, with the
single exceptionthat there are no troops whatsoever in the neighbourhood.

Beloved mine, I kiss you again and again, because just at present I am quite free and have time to think of
my Wify and my family. It is strange, but it is so.

I hope that you are not suffering from that abominable pain in your jaw and are not over-tiring yourself.
God grant that my Little One may be quite well on my return!

Always your old hubby

Give my regards to Ania.

Nicky.

NOTES: The word Stavka, which appears at the head of most of these letters and telegrams, requires
explanation. It has no connection with our own word Staff. In archaic Russian it meant the military camp
of a chief, and in modern times it was applied to General Headquarters. Although Stavka and G.H.Q. are
generally regarded as one and the same thing, the Stavka had a peculiar significance - in the history of the
last years of the Tsarist regime, and possessed extraordinary powers. At the beginning of the war the
Stavka was situated at Baranovitchi, a small Polish town on the line between Minsk and BrestLitovsk,
and well placed behind the centre of the Russian front. Baranovitchi was the headquarters of a Railway
Brigade. and in 1914 the Stavka was housed partly in the Grand Duke's train, drawn up in a special
siding, and partly in the wooden huts of the Brigade and in the Commander's house.

NICOLASHA: the Grand Duke Nicolai Nicolaievitch (here, and often subsequently, referred to as
"Nicolasha") was Commander-in-Chief of the Russian forces in 1914. He was certainly the most popular
figure in the dynasty, a man of commanding presence, and regarded with esteem and affection by the
troops. It is said that Rouszky had a poor opinion of his capacity as a military leader; but that opinion was
not shared by Ludendorff or by Hindenburg.

He was disliked and distrusted by the Tsaritsa, partly on account of his popularity, which. in the Army, so
completely overshadowed that of the Tsar, and partly because of his bluff opposition to Rasputin and the
court camarilla. He was the Tsar's cousin.

SHAVELSKY: G. I. Shavelsky was the Chaplain-General of the Forces. He is often referred to as 0.

Shavelsky - O. being an abbreviation of Otetz or Father. PETIUSHA: the Grand Duke Peter
Nicolaievitch, brother of the Grand Duke Nicholas. KYRILL: the Grand Duke Kyrill Vladimirovitch,
head of the Naval Staff, attached to the Stavka in that capacity. A man of advanced liberal opinions, who,
at the outbreak of the Revolution, went over to the Provisional Government. YANOUSHKEVITCH:
General N. N. Yanoushkevitch was Chief of Staff at G.H.Q. He was illfitted for this post, for he had seen
no active service and had never commanded any unit larger than a company. He had joined the War
Ministry at an early age, and was Chief of the General Staff at the outbreak of the war. He was assisted by
a man of a very different type, General G. N. DANILOV, the Quartermaster-General, a stern
disciplinarian and a very capable soldier.

"Our last victory on the Prussian frontier." The fighting at Souvalky and Mariampol hardly amounted to a
victory. It represented, at best, a partial and local recovery after the crushing defeat of Tannenberg a
fortnight previously. IVANOV: General N. Y. Ivanov was Commander-in-Chief of the South-west Front-
an old but energetic man of patriarchal appearance. DRENTELN: one of the Tsar's A.D.C.'s, a Colonel in
the famous Preobrajensky Regiment. VICTORIA: Princess Victoria of Battenberg, wife of Prince Louis,
the sister of the Tsaritsa, and before her marriage Princess Victoria of Hesse. BENCKENDORF: Count A.
C. Benckendorf, Marshal of the Court and Ambassador to Great Britain from 1902 to 19x6. He died in the
winter of 1916.

ANIA: Anna Vyroubova. She is frequently referred to in these letters as "A," "Ania" or "her." She is
credited with having possessed great political significance, but it is most improbable that this was actually
the case. It is unnecessary to repeat here the many fantastic and scandalous stories of which she was the
subject. The daughter of Tanaiev, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, she entered the court circle at an early
age, and became the Tsaritsa's favourite maid-of-honour from 1903 onwards. After her unhappy marriage
with Lieutenant Vyroubov, and its consequent dissolution, she lived on the most intimate terms with the
Imperial Family. Sazonov describes her as "an ambitious but by no means intelligent woman, who
combined with a slavish obedience to Rasputin an ecstatic devotion to the Empress and to the Tsar."
Paléologue (Vol. II, P. 239) says: "Physically she is heavy, commonplace, the head round, the lips fleshy,
the eyes clear and expressionless... To explain her situation and her role at the Imperial Palace, it is
perhaps sufficient to adduce her personal attachment to the Empress, the attachment of an inferior and
servile creature to a sovereign who is always ill, crushed by her position of authority, besieged by
terrors." Gilliard, the tutor to the Tsarevitch, spoke of her as "an unintelligent woman, limited, simple,
garrulous, sentimental and mystic. Her reasoning was puerile, and she was destitute of ideas" (Sokolov
Inquiry, p.111) He says elsewhere that she had "the mentality of a child" and that "her unhappy
experiences had exalted her sensibility without ripening her reflection." There is little doubt that she was
sentimentally attached to the Tsar. She lived in a small house at Tsarskoe Selo, close to the Palace, and
was a constant intermediary between the Empress and Rasputin. Her book, "Memories of the Russian
Court," published in 1923, consists mainly of foolish tittle-tattle. She was brought before a Commission
of Inquiry and acquitted on the 25th August, 1917. This acquittal sufficiently disproves the allegation that
she had political power.

Stavka. 23 September, 1914.

MY BELOVED WIFY,

My warmest thanks for your sweet letter, and for the one which you, the girls, Ania and N. P. have
written conjointly. The words you write are always so true, and when I read them their meaning goes right
to my heart, and my eyes are often moist. It is hard to part, even for a few days, but letters like yours are
such joy that it is worth while parting for the sake of them. To-day it is raining in buckets, but of course I
went for a walk with Dr., which was very good for me. Last night poor old Fredericks had a slight
repetition of what happened to him not long ago in town - a little blood-spitting.

He is better now, but both Feodorov and Malama insist on his keeping quiet and motionless for 24 hours.
It will be very difficult to make him obey them. They advise that he should remain here, and not go with
me to Rovn obe can catch up my train at Bielostok in two days' time on Tuesday. The presence of the old
man here in these circumstances complicates the situation considerably, as he is a constant encumbrance
to me and generally embarrasses everybody.

I feel quite well again and, I assure you, for the last few days even rested, thanks especially to good news.
Alas I as I feared, Nicholasha will not let me go to Osovetz, which is simply intolerable, as now I shall
not be able to see the troops which have been lately in action. In Vilna I intend to visit two hospitals-the
military and the Red Cross one - but I have not come here solely for that!

Among the honours, which I have confirmed, General Ivanov has presented Keller for the Order of St.
George. I am so glad!

And so I shall at last see Olga to-morrow and spend the whole morning in Rovno. I must finish, because
the courier is waiting to be sent off.

Good-bye, my sweet, beloved Sunny. May God bless and keep you and the dear children; as for me, I kiss
you and them tenderly.

Always your hubby,

Nicky.

NOTES: N. P. refers to Nicolai Pavlovitch Sablin, a captain in the Guardeisky Equipage (described in a
subsequent note) and a close personal friend of the Imperial Family. He was senior officer on the Imperial
yacht "Standart" from 1912 to 1915, and was A.D.C. to the Tsar. FREDERICKS: Count Fredericks, an
old and devoted servant, was Minister of the Imperial Court. FEODOROV: Professor S. P. Feodorov, the
chief Court physician. MALAMA: Dr. B. Z. Malama, honorary physician to the Tsar. KELLER: General
Count F. A. Keller of the Cavalry Guards, formerly the commander of the Life-Guard Dragoons. He
commanded in succession, during the war, the 10th Cavalry Division and the 3rd Cavalry Corps. A
dashing leader and a great friend of the Tsar's. He was killed by Ukrainians in Kiev in December 1918.
OLGA: the Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna, the Tsar's younger sister, occupied with hospital work.
She married Prince Peter of Oldenburg ("Petia"), but divorced him and married Colonel Koulikovsky.
The divorce is referred to later in the present correspondence.

Telegram. Brest. 24 September, 1914.

Am very grateful for news. Was so glad to see Olga in Rovno. Inspected her hospital and the local one,
Not many wounded left. The weather is cold, bad. Embrace all closely.

Nicky.

Telegram.

Grodno Railway. 25 September 1914

Have stopped in Bielostok all the same and visited Osovetz; found the garrison looking very well. Many
projectiles have fallen into the fortress, one can see everywhere the funnels which they have made. I shall
inspect hospitals in Vilna. To-morrow, God willing, we shall see each other. Hope all are well. Tender
embraces.

Nicky.
 OCTOBER 1914

Telegram.

Stavka. 22 October, 1914

Have arrived safely. In the morning inspected two hospitals in Minsk; found them in splendid order. It is
not cold, foggy...

Telegram.

Stavka. 23 October, 1914

Tender thanks for news. The weather is milder than at home. There is no snow. Petia is here. He has
become much quieter since having been under heavy fire in Galicia. He and Kostia's boys have meals
with me. Hearty greetings.

Nicky.

NOTES: PETIA: Prince Peter of Oldenburg, referred to in the preceding note. KOSTIA: the Grand Duke
Constantine Constantinovitch.

Telegram.

Stavka 23 October, 1914.

The joyful news has been received that the Austrian army is in full retreat from Sanok. Am going to a
moleben [Te Deum] now. Embrace you closely.

Nicky.

Telegram.

Stavka. 24 October. 1914

Sincerest thanks to you and the children for letters. I am very glad that you have been to Louga.
Yesterday your squadron of the Alexandriisky Hussars joined our troops after an absence of four weeks in
the extreme rear of the enemy with very few losses. I embrace you all tenderly.

NICOLAI.
Telegram.

Stavka 25 October, 1914.

Many thanks for letter and magazine. Yesterday I watched with pleasure the regiment of Hussars and
their distribution. To-day am inspecting two hospitals of wounded and the Cavalry Guards. Unfortunately
had no time to write. I am going for 24 hours to Kholm. and Sedletz. Am returning on the 27th in the
morning. I hope you are well. Embrace all tenderly.

Nicky.

Telegram.

Brest. 26 0ctober, 1914.

Spent the morning in Kholm; went to Mass and inspected a large Red Cross hospital. We passed Vlodava.
The weather is calm, warm. I embrace you and the children closely.

Nicky.

Stavka. 27 October, 1914

MY BELOVED, DARLING SUNNY,

At last I am able to write a few lines to thank you for your sweet letters, the sight of which on my table
makes my old heart jump for joy!

The first days of my stay here I had to see old General Panteleiev with regard to the sad story of
Samsonov; then old Trotzky, who is going to Kiev to establish order there; after that, Professor
Scherbatov concerning our horses. I found old Petiusha here, who has only just returned from Lvov and
from a battle into which he was taken by Radko-Dimitriev.

They spent three hours under the fire of the Austrian heavy artillery. From other telegrams it is clear that
Petia conducted himself with the utmost coolness and he requests an award for himself; I therefore gave
him the Georgievskoe orougiye [Arms of St. George], which made him nearly mad [with joy). He had not
expected it. At present he has a cold and is confined to an empty barrack near the train. On the whole, it
seems to us that he has become very much less expansive than usual, most likely because he has been
under fire. I had the pleasure of spending the whole of Saturday with Misha, who has become quite his
old self and is again charming. We went to vsenoshchnaia [vespers] together and parted after dinner. Both
the evenings I spent with the Cavalry Guards and with my Hussars. The horses of the Cavalry Guards are
almost all in condition, but those of the Hussars have a most lamentable appearance. It is curious that,
judging from what they say, the German horses which they have captured stand the hard work much
worse than ours.
Now about my programme. Wednesday I shall spend in Rovno; Thursday in Lyublin and Ivangorod;
Friday again in Ivangorod and on the adjoining battlefield (Kozenitzy), and Saturday in Grodno. If you
could come there to meet me it would be splendid. I have spoken to Voeikov, and all preparations will be
made. - I was intending to spend the whole of Saturday in Grodno (hospitals and fortress) and arrive at
Pskov on Sunday morning to attend Mass in church, then to the hospital and be home for dinner. But if
you only go there, of course Pskov falls out.

Well, my own Wify, I must finish this letter. I hope that you are feeling stronger and are well again. I kiss
you and the children tenderly. God bless you!

Always your old

Nicky.

PANTELEIEV: General A. 1. Panteleiev, Adjutant-General and a member of the Council of State.

SAMSONOV: General Samsonov commanded the 2nd Army, which was annihilated at the Battle of
Tannenberg on 18th August, 1914. His military career had been a brilliant one, and he had attained the
rank of Major-General at the age of forty-three. He was fifty-five in 1914. After having witnessed the
defeat of his army, and finding himself an exhausted straggler on the battlefield, he committed suicide.
TROTZKY: General V. I. Trotzky. formerly commanded the Life-Guard Pavlovsky Regiment, and during
the war was Governor of the Military District of Kiev. RADKO-DMITRIEV: General Radko-Dmitriev,
one of the most daring and courageous leaders on the Russian side. was a Bulgarian. He was born in 1859
at Grodetz. After passing through the military school in Sophia, he studied in the Academy at Petrograd.
He was involved in the plotting which led to the abdication of Prince Alexander, and was exiled by
Stambulov. He then served for ten years in the Russian army, and returned to Bulgaria on the accession of
King Ferdinand. He was Chief of the Bulgarian General Staff in 1902, led an army in the Balkan War,
and was the victor of Kirk-Kilisse' and Lule-Burgas. He then returned to the Russian service. During the
war he commanded in succession the 8th Army Corps, the 3rd Army, and the 12th Army. MISHA: the
Grand Duke Michael Alexandrovitch, the Tsar's brother. VOEIKOV: General Voeikov was Commandant
of the Imperial Palaces. He married the daughter of Count Fredericks. Gourko (P. 153) represents the
Count as saying, "Here (at the Stavka] everyone intrigues, and most of all my son-in-law." He is
frequently mentioned in these letters as "Voeik." or "V." "Sunny" was the Tsar's favourite name for his
wife, and appears thus written in a published facsimile of one of his letters. In her girlhood she was
known at the English Court as "Sunshine."

Telegram.

Stavka. 28 October, 1914

Thank you heartily for your letter and news. Of course I can see M. I am in full agreement about the
question of change of Governor in the South. Wrote to you yesterday about my plans. I shall arrive in
Grodno on the Ist of November in the morning. Shall spend the whole day there. Will you not meet me in
that place? To-morrow I shall spend in Rovno, then two days in the fortress. Am longing for you
passionately. Kiss you tenderly.

Nicky.
NOTES: M. refers to Maklakov, the Minister of the Interior. Lavrinsky, the Governor of the Crimea, was
to be replaced by Kniazevitch, apparently on the recommendation of Rasputin.

Telegram. Army in the Field. 29 October. 1914.

Am very glad to be here again and to see Olga. Have been to her hospital; now I am going to see the
military hospitals. The weather is splendidly warm. Am stay ing here till to-night. Thanks for letter.
Embrace you closely.

Nicky.

Telegram.

Ivangorod Fortress. 30 October, 1914.

Many thanks for letter of 28th. In the morning I inspected in Lyublin three hospitals in good order. Found
here much of interest, of which I will tell you at our meeting. Saw many troops and sailors whom I knew.
I am so glad to find them here. The weather is quite warm. To-morrow I shall drive round the battlefields.
I said that we would stop in D[vinsk]. Embrace all closely.

NICOLAI.
NOVEMBER 1914
Telegram.
Stavka. 22 October, 1914
Have arrived safely. In the morning inspected two hospitals in Minsk; found them in splendid order. It is
not cold, foggy...

Telegram.
Stavka. 23 October, 1914
Tender thanks for news. The weather is milder than at home. There is no snow. Petia is here. He has
become much quieter since having been under heavy fire in Galicia. He and Kostia's boys have meals
with me. Hearty greetings.
Nicky.

In the train. 18 November, 1914

MY BELOVED SUNNY AND DARLING WIFY,
We have finished breakfast and I have read your sweet, tender letter with moist eyes. This time I
succeeded in keeping myself in hand at the moment of parting, but it Was a hard struggle.
The weather is dismal; it is pouring with rain; there is very little snow left. When we moved off, I visited
the gentlemen [of the suite] and looked in at each coup�. This morning I found among the papers of the
Minister of War the paper relating to Rennenkampf and signed it. He will have to leave his Army. I do not
know who Nic. has in view for his place.
What joy and consolation it would be if we could make the whole of this journey together I My love, I
miss you terribly - more than I can express in words. Every day a courier will leave the town with papers.
I shall try to write very often, as, to my amazement, I have come to the conclusion that I can write while
the train is in motion.
My hanging trapeze has proved very practical and useful. I swung on it many times and climbed up it
before meals. It is really an excellent thing for the train, it stirs up the blood and the whole organism.
I like the pretty frame which you have given me. It lies in front of me on the table for safety, because a
sudden jerk might break the lovely stone.
All the miniatures are good, with the exception of Marie. I am sure that everyone will appreciate their
merit. What a joy and consolation it is to know that you are well and are working so much for the
wounded! As our Friend says, it is by God's grace that in such a time you can work so hard and endure so
much. Believe me, my beloved, do not fear, have more confidence in yourself when you are left alone,
and all will go smoothly and prosperously.
May God bless you, my beloved Wify! I kiss you and the children lovingly. Sleep well and try to think
that you are not lonely.
Your hubby
Nicky.

NOTES: RENNENKAMPF: General P. Rennenkampf, commanding the 1st Army, whose failure to
advance after the victory of Gumbinnen was partly responsible for the disaster of Tannenberg. He had
greatly distinguished himself in the Japanese War, after which he became a Corps Commander, and was
later appointed to the Governorship of the Vilna Military District. In 1915 he deserted his army, was
accused of treachery and dismissed from the service. Killed by the Bolsheviks in 1918. OUR FRIEND:
Gregory Rasputin. We are not yet in a position to judge correctly the true character or to measure the full
power of this mysterious man. There can be no doubt, however, that his influence in Imperial and political
circles was immense, though his motives in gaining and in using that influence are still obscure. We shall
have occasion. later, to note his interference in matters military and political, and to observe the Tsar's
attitude towards his strange adviser. Such a figure at the Russian Court was by no means a novelty, and he
was but the successor of John of Kronstadt and the magician Phillippe.

Telegram.
Stavka. 19 November, 1914.
Have arrived in good time; thanks for letter and telegram. The weather is as it was yesterday, without
frost. Kyrill and Dmitry are at present here. Embrace you and the children.
Nicky.

NOTES: DMITRY: the Grand Duke Dmitry Pavlovitch, son of the Grand Duke Paul. He was the Tsar's
cousin, an elegant and perhaps decadent young man, who wrote verses, and who assisted at the murder of
Rasputin in December 1916.

Stavka. 19 November, 1914,

MY PRECIOUS WIFY,
Sincerest thanks for your sweet letter (the second), received to-day after dinner. I arrived exactly at 12.30.
N. met me at the big station behind the wood. He looks well and calm, though he has lived through
terrible moments, more correctly days, when the Germans were penetrating deeper and deeper. The only
great and serious difficulty for our troops is that we have again an insufficiency of munitions. In
consequence of this, our troops have to observe economy and discretion during action, which means that
the brunt of the fighting falls upon the infantry; owing to that, the losses at once become colossal. Some
of the Corps of the Line have become divisions; the brigades have shrunk into regiments, and so forth.
Reinforcements are coming in well, but half of them have no rifles, as the troops are losing masses. There
is nobody to collect them on the battlefields.
Apparently the Germans are drawing the Austrians up to the north; several Austrian corps are fighting on
our soil, as if they have come up from Thom.
And all of these troops are commanded by Prussian generals. It is said that the Austrian prisoners abuse
their allies for that. Petiusha. is here again and is feeling well. I also saw Kyrill, Dmitry and Yoanchik,
who has asked me to appoint our Olga president of the committee for the building of the large cathedral,
if he should be killed.
Four foreign generals dined with me. I had a talk with them in the evening. They have travelled not a little
round the places where there is heavy fighting at present - Soukhachev, Seradz, Lodz, etc. Today we had
no detailed reports from the front.
My beloved Sunny, I love you with an undying love; as you see, I could call it "un puits d'amour" and this
after twenty years. God bless you, my darling! May He guard you and the children. I kiss you all tenderly.
YOUR Nicky.

NOTES: In this letter the Tsar speaks of the shortage of munitions after little over three months of war. It
is now commonly known that the shortage was largely due to the incompetence, if not to the criminal
neglect, of the Minister of War, Soukhomlinov, of whom we shall speak in a later note. The Russian
army, at the beginning of the war, was deplorably equipped for service. General Alexeiev said that the
shortage of rifles reached an acute phase in September 1914. According to E. H. Wilcox, the
correspondent of the Daily Telegraph at Petrograd, reinforcements sent to Galicia were " absolutely
unarmed." Soldiers were not only trained with sticks instead of rifles, but were actually sent into the
trenches with them. At one time 40,000 troops were waiting at Tarnopol without weapons. Robert Wilton,
The Times correspondent, says: "Proportionately speaking, the Russian Army was not so well prepared
for war in 1914 as it had been in 1904. Eleven artillery brigades on mobilisation were found to be without
guns." And Gourko states that in 1914 his Division " possessed neither light nor heavy motor transport."
YOANCHIK: Prince loan Constantinovitch.

Telegram.
Dorogobuzh. 20 Nowember, 1914.
Thanks for telegram. In Smolensk I thought of our stay in 1912. Visited four hospitals there. All are in
excellent order. It is warm, still. In thought I am with you..

Telegram.
Toula. 21 November, 1914.
Warmest thanks for both sweet letters. I advise you, if you are well, to go to K(ovno) and V[ilna]. This
morning after church I visited a munition facto y - very interestingten thousand workers. Now I am going
to hospitals, there are about 40. 1 have no time to write here. I kiss and embrace all ardently.
Nicky.

Telegram.
Kharkov. 23 November, 1914
Sincerest thanks for dear letters. I hope that yesterday's papers have arrived. Have seen numbers of
hospitals, but had no time to see the son of Count Keller. The reception was so touching. I am leaving at
four o'clock for Ekaterinodar.

Telegram.
Stanichnaia. 24 November, 1914.
Have spent three happy hours at Ekaterinodar. Thanks for telegram. I remember about Olga. Embrace you
all closely.
Nicky.

In the train. 25 November, 1914.

MY BELOVED, DARLING SUNNY,
It seems to me as though it is ages since we parted! - Two days ago I received your letter from Kharkov,
with our group taken in Dvinsk. To-day is my first free day.
We are passing through picturesque country which is new to me, with beautiful high mountains on one
side and steppes on the other. Since yesterday it has been much warmer, and to-day the weather is lovely.
I sat for a long time at the open door of the carriage and breathed in the warm fresh air with delight. At
each station the platforms are crowded with people, especially children; there are thousands of them, and
they are charming with their tiny papakha [fur caps) on their heads.
Naturally, the receptions in every town were touchingly cordial. But yesterday I experienced other and
still better impressions in Ekaterinodar, the capital of the Kouban province - it was as pleasant as on board
ship, thanks to crowds of old friends and the familiar faces of the Cossacks, which I remember from
childhood, in the Convoy. Of course I drove in my car with the Ataman (Hetman), General Babysch, and
inspected several excellent hospitals, containing wounded from the Caucasian Army. Some of the poor
fellows have frostbitten legs. The train is jolting terribly, so you must excuse my writing.
After the hospitals I looked in for a minute at the Kouban Girls' Institute and at a large orphanage dating
from the last war, all of them Cossack girls, real military discipline. They look well and unconstrained;
here and there a pretty face. N. P. and I were very pleased with what we saw.
I have just finished lunch. It is quite hot in the train.
We are running along by the Caspian Sea; it rests the eye to look at the blue distance; it reminded me of
our Black Sea and wafted me into melancholy. Not far off are mountains, beautifully lit up by the sun. It
is a pitywhy are we not together? On the whole, travelling about here means being infinitely further
removed from the war than being in Kovno or Grodno. N. P. and I were very glad that you went there and
saw our friends. I shall send this letter by courier from Derbent. Of course it was Peter the Great who took
this little old place in 1724 - I cannot remember where the keys are kept. I know that they must be in one
of the palace churches, because I have seen them, but I am not sure precisely in which.
Tell Olga that I thought of her a great deal yesterday in the Kouban province. This country of the
Cossacks is magnificent and rich; a large number of orchards. They are beginning to be wealthy, and
above all - they have an inconceivably high number of small infants. All future subjects. This all fills me
with joy and faith in God's mercy; I must look forward in peace and confidence to what lies in store for
Russia. This second telegram from our Friend was handed to me at a small station where I got out for a
walk. I find it highly comforting.
By the way, I have forgotten to explain to you why my programme was slightly changed. When I was at
the Stavka, the old Count Vorontzov asked me by telegram whether I would care to visit both of the
Cossack provinces and both chief towns; as we had a little spare time on our journey, Voeikov quickly
arranged this matter, and has thus given me an opportunity for seeing some more useful and important
places [bases ?] - Ekaterinodar, and on our journey back to the north, Vladikavkaz - of the Tersky Army.
During my passing visits to Toula, Orel, Koursk and Kharkov I was too busy and bewildered to be able to
write to you or even to telegraph - you must have noticed it, whereas to-day we are all enjoying a real
rest; the gentlemen are as much tired as I am. But I repeat again: all our impressions are delightful. What
the country is achieving and will go on achieving till the end of the war is wonderful and immense. Part
of this achievement I saw with my own eyes, and even Feodorov, from a purely medical point of view,
was astounded.
But I must finish now, my love. I kiss you and the dear children warmly and tenderly. I am longing for
you so much, so much in need of you I God bless and keep you!
Always your hubby
Nicky.

NOTES: The Tsar was never so happy, during the war, as he was on these tours of inspection. He had no
knowledge of the terrors of war, and his army was usually presented to him on the parade ground. Such
tours, moreover, provided an escape from the "beastly papers and the dull routine of the Stavka."
Ataman or Hetman, the title of a Cossack commander. "Palace churches" - the churches which stood
within the Imperial precincts. VORONTZOV: General Count Vorontzov-Dashkov, Lord Lieutenant of
the Caucasus and a member of the Council of State.
The letter was written in the train between Petrovsk and Baku.

Telegram.
Tiflis. 26 November, 1914
Have arrived safely; the reception was wonderful. The old Count is not very well. I shall visit some
hospitals to-day. I am sorry that you are not here. Close embrace for you and Ella.
Nicky.

ELLA: the Grand Duchess Elizabeth, widow of the Tsar's uncle, the Grand Duke Sergey (assassinated in
1905), and the elder sister of the Tsaritsa. She was a beautiful and remarkable woman, who, after the
death of her husband, became the Mother Superior of a convent in Moscow. Her tragic life was tragically
ended on the 17th July, 1918 - on the day following the murder of the Imperial Family - at Alapaievsk in
the Oural Province, where she was killed by the Bolsheviks.

Telegram.
Tiflis. 27 November, 1914.
Thank you heartily for dear letter with the enclosed letters from Marie and Alexey. The Count and
Countess are very touched with your greetings. There was a grand reception in the morning - saw two
young officers of the Nijni-Novgorod Regiment, both wounded. Thank you for your congratulations. I
have seen above a thousand wounded in two days. Please distribute medals to seriously wounded men in
my name. Am tired, but very pleased and satisfied with what I have seen and heard. Embrace you and the
children closely.
Nicky.

Telegram.
Tiflis. 28 November, 1914.
Hearty thanks for letter about your delightful journey to Vilna and Kovno. I have been visiting
educational institutions all day long. The Countess took me round your sklad here in the house. Saw not
less than 200 ladies and women at work - I was much embarrassed. I went to tea with the nobility; masses
of pretty faces - felt shy. Everything has made an excellent impression on me. All of them are very
desirous of seeing you and the children some time.
Fond kisses for all the six of you.
Nicky.

NOTES: Sklad: a depot for Red Cross supplies. The Tsaritsa was devoted to hospital work, in which she
took an active and practical part.

Telegram.
Tiflis. 29 November, 1914.
Sincere thanks for dear letter, also to Olga and Alexey for their letters. Ideally warm weather. After a
grand reception of deputations this morning I visited the Girls' Diocesan School and after that the Military
College. I have received crowds of people. After lunch walked here in a charming garden; am now going
into the town to tea. I am leaving for Kars in the evening.

Telegram.
Kars. 30 November, 1914.
Have arrived this morning. Real winter, but luckily not cold, 4 degrees. Went to Mass in a very ancient
church, which is now the garrison church. Saw heaps of troops, very few wounded. Drove in a car round
the fortress; very interesting, but a thick fog was hiding the distance. I kiss all many times tenderly.
Nicky.

DECEMBER 1914

Telegram.
Sarykamysh Railway. 1 December, 1914
Thank you and Tatiana sincerely for letter; I have only just arrived, and see on the station, to my joy, my
Company of the Kabardinsky Regiment. Embrace you closely.
Nicky.

Telegram. Kars. 1 December, 1914

Have spent an ever-memorable day. I drove from Saryim kamysh in a car to Medginghert. right on the
frontier.
There were collected all the lower ranks of all the parts of the Caucasian Army who had most
distinguished themselves, about 1200 men. I distributed crosses and m edals of St. George among them;
they had come straight from the advanced positions, and had an excellent sunburnt appearance. The
weather has been warm there for the last few days. The young Gandourin has recovered and will return to
his regiment in three days' time. I was exceedingly glad to see the famous Kabardintzy. The road up to the
frontier is excellent. I have passed over two beautiful mountains covered with woods. I am now returning.
Tender embraces for all.
Nicky.

Telegram.
Kiurdamir. 2 December, 1914.
I thank you heartily for two letters, Tatiana also. Towards the morning we descended from the mountains
and it became warmer again. I hope you are not tiring yourself in the hospitals...

Telegram.
Derbent. 3 December, 1914.
I thank you and Olga heartily for dear letters. I am free to day. I am now going for a walk along the
Caspian Sea. To-morrow morning I am going to Vladikavkaz. The weather is warm, damp. I embrace all
closely.
Nicky.

Telegram.
Novocherkask. No date.
Many thanks for last letter. I am glad to be on the Don. Am very pleased with the reception. Have been to
see many hospitals. Am leaving at 7 o'clock in the evening. I am very happy to meet you tomorrow.
Tenderly embrace you and the children.
Nicky.

Telegram.
Novoborissov. 13 December, 1914.
Saw to-day an echelon of recovered wounded, who are returning to the army. It is clear; 4 degrees of
frost, without snow. Thanks for letters. Embrace all tenderly.
Nicky.
Telegram.
Stavka. 14 December, 1914.
Thanks for telegram. There is no news to-day, as it is quiet along almost the whole front. I have had a
long walk. I have felt tired ever since leaving Moscow. Good night. Sleep well. Warm kisses.
Nicky.

Telegram.
Stavka. 15 December. 1914
Thanks for telegram. Am very sorry for poor Botkin. Here nothing is known. The regiment of Infantry
Guards has been recalled, and I want to inspect them. I hope you will not mind if I return on Friday
night...

NOTES: BOTKIN: Dr. E. S. Botkin, physician to the Tsar. He was one of the most devoted attendants of
the Imperial Family, and was murdered with them at Ekaterinburg. The allusion is to the death of his son,
who was killed in the war.

Telegram.
Stavka. 16 December, 1914.
Warmest thanks for charming scented letter; and Marie also. Everything is quiet here. Reports are good.
Yesterday I inspected the new 53rd Don Cossack Regiment, which is commanded by Zvegintzev. A.
Orlov is not wounded. I am sorry for Boutakov. I kiss you tenderly.
Nicky.

NOTES: ORLOV: A. A. Orlov, an officer in the Life-Guard Hussars. BOUTAROV: probably A. I.

Butakov, a senior lieutenant in the Gvardeisky Equipage, who "died on duty."

Telegram.
Stavka. 16 December, 1914.
Warmest thanks for dear letter. Am leaving to-day at 9:30; to-morrow morning I hope to see the infantry
division and after dinner our Rifles. Cold, keen wind.
Nicky.

Telegram.
Garvolin. 17 December. 1914.
In the morning I saw the First Division and a company of Her Majesty's Guard Equipage. Wonderfully
healthy, cheerful appearance. The weather is warm here. Shall send news in the evening.
Nicky.

NOTES: The Guardeisky Equipage was a unit for which the Tsar and Tsaritsa had a special affection. In
1867 all the Russian naval commands were condensed into "rotas " (companies), and these were grouped
in "Equipages," each about 2000 strong. The Guardeisky Equipage - sometimes translated as Marine of
the Guard, or Garde �quipage - was a part of the Imperial Guard. and its members served on the Royal
yachts and, during the winter, as a part of the Petrograd garrison. In addition to service on the Royal
yachts, the Equipage acted as Marines on the ships of the Baltic Fleet. They represented the Navy in the
general establishment of the Guards. During the war a battalion of the Equipage was on active service.
The Gvardeisky Equipage were on duty at the palace of Tsarskoe Selo on the eve of the Revolution, and
their desertion to the Duma, under the leadership of their commander, the Grand Duke Kyrill, appeared to
the Tsaritsa as a bitter revelation of disloyalty and ingratitude.

Telegram.
Sedletz. 17 December. 1914.
Thanks for telegram. I was delighted with the Rifles and Grabbe's Cossacks. The weather is spring-like.
Am in a happy mood. Good-night.
Nicky.

GRABBE: Count A. N. Grabbe commanded the Cossacks of the Imperial Guard, and was an intimate
friend of the Tsar's. According to Gourko (p. 153) - 'It was said of him that, by his natural tact, greatly
surpassing his inborn mental qualities, he kept himself wonderfully clear of the influences of the different
parties... The Tsar greatly appreciated his abstinence from everything which did not concern him." His
name occurs frequently in these letters.

Telegram.
Stolbtzy. Al. Rly. 18 December, 1914.
Many thanks for two letters; also to Tatiana and Olga, I saw to-day the Moskovsky, Pavlovsky and
Atamansky Regiments. The weather was warm. We are returning home. So glad to be with you all
tomorrow night. Tender embraces. Nicky.

Telegram.
Novosokolnikovo Rly. 19 December, 1914.
N. P. has received your telegrams, but has not received A.'s letters. The weather is warm. Am glad to
return.
Embrace you closely. Nicky.