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I thank you with all my heart for both dear letters. I am distressed by your ill health, and live in anxiety when I am parted from you. My loneliness is nothing compared to this. My dear, be prudent and take care of yourself.
I send you these telegrams to read, and then tear them up.
You ask me how I greeted the New Year. We too had a moleben (Te Deum) in the church at midnight. O.Shavelsky spoke very well, and to the point. - I had a headache and lay down immediately after. - On New Year's Day I felt quite well again. At 10 o'clock I received several pleasant people from the town, and later went to church.
A few papers have come, as well as a number of telegrams, mostly family and foreign ones, which are always more difficult to answer. - Of the regiments, the Erivantzi alone telegraphed.
I must confess that the book I am now reading is absolutely fascinating. When I have finished it I shall send it on to you. You will probably guess which parts interested me most.
The foreign officers asked my permission to telegraph to Alexey, and were greatly touched by his well-composed reply.
Tell him that they always finish their zakouska in the little room, and remember him.
I also think of him very often, especially in the garden and in the evenings, and I miss my cup of chocolate.
The weather is pleasant, mild, 3 degrees, and quantities of snow, but there has been no sun since the day of my arrival here. - The days have become much longer.
I must finish.
May God preserve you, my dear Wify
I kiss you and the children tenderly.
Your old
NICKY.
Stavka. 3 January 1916
MY DEAREST,
Up to now I have not received a single letter. The train is six hours late, owing to a violent snowstorm.
A storm has been raging here too since yesterday, and in the night the wind howled down the chimney like that terrible tremolo in the "Ahnfrau." I am very grateful for your dear telegram. I am glad that your headache has nearly gone; but the naughty heart persists in being disobedient !
To-day I can Write to you and the children, as no papers have come in. I telegraphed to Ania yesterday, and received a very becoming reply.-Nobody remembered this anniversary, so that I reminded Fred. and Voeikov about it. Valia is in bed : he has a high temperature, I have only just visited him. He is feeling better, but his face is swollen up and red with the cold.
A great deal of snow has come down during the night. I was glad to find a wooden shovel in the garden, and have cleared one of the pathways. That is a very useful and pleasant occupation for me, as at present I take no exercise. And then I do not miss the Little One so much.
The morning reports are short nowadays, because everything is quiet at present, but on the Caucasus our troops have begun an offensive, and fairly successfully. The Turks had not expected it to take place during the winter. In Persia we are also dealing heavy blows to those accursed gendarmes, who are under the leadership of German, Austrian and Swedish officers. Among the rest, I have received a very cordial telegram from Harding, the Viceroy of India, in the name of the Government, the princes and the people. Who would have thought it ten years ago?
I was touched by the flower sent by our Friend.
Farewell till our next meeting, my darling Sunny. God guard you.
I kiss you tenderly and love you infinitely.
Eternally your
NICKY.
Telegram. Stavka. 3 January, 1916
Tender thanks for dear letter. I have only just received it now, as the train was late, owing to snowdrifts. The weather is warm. (But) it is beginning to freeze again. I hope you will soon recover your strength. I kiss you tenderly.
Nicky
Telegram. Stavka. 4 January, 1916.
Thanks for news. The train is again very late. It will come in at about 9 o'clock. It is rather cold. I have written. Hope you are feeling better. I kiss you tenderly.
Stavka. 4 January, 1916.
MY DARLING SUNNY,
Hearty thanks for dear letter, which arrived yesterday evening after mine had already been dispatched.
The train was again late to-day, but the wind has died down and it is snowing.
I sincerely hope that your headache has gone and that the poor heart feels better. - I read out aloud, with pleasure, your long New Year's telegram to old Gorem. It is very well composed.
All is quiet on our front. Our offensive is developing successfully in the Caucasus, but slowly, because of the deep snow. Our troops are fighting courageously, and have taken many prisoners, equipment, stores and so forth.-As far as I can judge by what Alexeiev read to me this morning, Nicolasha is confident and satisfied.
My dear, I am longing for you... Just here, away from Ministers and strangers, we would have plenty of time to talk quietly about various questions, and spend a few cosy hours together. But what is to be done? You have said very justly, in one of your last letters, that our separation is our own personal sacrifice, which we. are making for our country in this sorrowful time. And this thought makes it easier for me to bear it.
The kind old General Pau is a delightful neighbour at the table. I like his simple, sound outlook on things and his straightforward talk.
I am still getting masses of postcards from various English regiments. Sir Williams gave me an enormous quantity of them for Alexey; I shall gradually forward them to youand let them be kept in order.
Farewell till our next meeting, my dear child! I must finish, as the courier is due to leave!
God bless you and the dear children I I kiss you passionately and them tenderly.
Your old hubby
NICKY.
dreaming
whispers echo on the summer wind
back where the love begins
where nights were so warm
the stars we could wish upon
now those days are gone
Stavka. 5 January, 1916
MY BELOVED DARLING,
There were no letters yesterday, but to-day, as a recompense, I have received two (literally, a whole two). One in the morning and the other soon after during the day. My heartfelt thanks for both.
Tell Alexey that I am glad he has begun writing his diary. It teaches one how to express one's thoughts clearly and concisely.
How sad that you are not feeling better, and that the beastly headache persists! - It is very fortunate that Mamma was pleasant to N. P. - Perhaps we shall manage to see the others - Kogev., Rod., and so forth, when they come for a short leave?
To-day the weather is clear but cold - 15 deg. with wind. I hope it will be warmer to-morrow; then it will be more pleasant to attend (when I attend) the consecration of the waters on the river near the big bridge.-This morning, after service, 0. Shavelsky went all over the house and sprinkled everything with holy water, beginning with my blue room, where he read several prayers! - The foreigners will have to eat fish and mushrooms to-day, but they assure us that they like it.
I think incessantly about a successor for the old man. In the train I asked the fat Khv. what was his opinion of Sturmer. He praises him, but thinks that he is too old also, and that his head is not as clear as formerly. Incidentally, this old Sturmer has sent me a petition to allow him to change his surname and adopt the name of Panin. I replied, through Mamant(ov), that I could not grant permission without the previous consent of the surviving Panins.
The little Admiral is well, but angry with Manus, who desires to receive the name of Nilov. What do you think of this?
I must finish, my precious Wify. God keep you and the children! I kiss you and them tenderly, and remain
Your faithful hubby
Nicky.
Stavka. 6 January, 1916.
MY DEAREST,
Hearty thanks for dear letter No. 420, and for the brilliant idea of deputing George and Tatishchev to see how the prisoners of war are kept in Siberia. I shall do it.
The blessing of the waters to-day went off well. When I got up there were 15 deg. of frost; towards the time for the blessing of the waters the temperature rose to 7, and now to 5- - curious fluctuations. The sun is already beginning to warm in a spring-like fashion.
The kind Bishop Constantine officiated in our church, and thence the procession of the Cross made its way down to the river.
All the troops which are stationed in the town were lined up on both sides, the battery saluted 101 times, and two aeroplanes hovered over our heads. Masses of people, and exemplary order. On the way back I left the procession near the house where the Staff is quartered, as I had to go to go to the report. The crowd cheered me. - The old man insisted on being allowed to accompany me during the ceremony, as he was feeling well. - The little Admiral was more cautious, and stayed at home, because he has a cough. Both throw themselves at your feet !
On Friday I am arranging a cinematograph for all the school-boys, and shall take advantage of this opportunity too!
I have just received your telegram, saying that Anastasia is suffering, from bronchitis; how tiresome! I hope that it will soon pass over.
I have finished my book, and shall certainly read it aloud to you and the children when I return home - exceptionally interesting, and quite proper gether. I have just had a friendly talk with our Metropolitan. It is damp and warm...
Stavka. 12 January, 1916.
MY DARLING,
My hearty thanks for your dear letter, and for the little bottle and the flowers from our Friend.I drank the wine straight out of the bottle to His health and happiness-, drank it all, to the last drop.
This happened after lunch-the young Ravtopoullo lunched with us as well. He has been sent here from his regiment to obtain boots and all sorts of warm things. I was very glad to see him and talk to him. He congratulated me on Tatiana's namesday, and requested me to give his respects to you and the girls. I congratulate you also!
During the day I received Pitirim. He spoke of the Synod, the clergy and especially of the Gos. Duma. This surprised me, and I should like to know who influenced him in this matter. He was very glad to be received and to be able to speak out freely.
Now I must finish; I have no time.
God guard you, my beloved darling. I kiss you and the dear children fondly. Give her my greetings and thank her for her letter.
Eternally your old
NICKY.
Stavka. 13 January, 1916
MY PRECIOUS WIFY,
My plans are now settled. To-morrow - on Thursday - I get into the train, and on Friday morning shall hold the inspection of the Trans-Baikal Cossack Division in Bobrouisk. - The same day I am returning here, and am spending the night in the train.
On Saturday morning there will be my usual report, and then I shall leave immediately for Orsha. - Three Cossack divisions will be drawn up in the neighbourhood - the 1st and 2nd Koubanskaia and Ouralskaia - after which I shall continue my journey home, and shall arrive at Ts. S. on Sunday at 12 o'clock. - Alas, I shall miss the church service! Perhaps I shall manage to spend 8-9 days at home - that would be splendid!
My dear little Sunny, I am burning with impatience to see you as soon as possible, to hear your voice, to look into your eyes...
I think that separation actually makes love stronger and mutual attraction greater. I hope that you will feel quite well and strong by then.
Tatiana's namesday was celebrated in the town with great solemnity. There was a concert, a play and living pictures in the theatre. Apparently it was crowded with people and very successful, but lasted from 9 till 1.30. - The Governor was unable to tell me how much had been collected during the whole evening. - Tatiana's portrait with her autograph was sold together with the programme.
Feodorov has had slight pains in the left side of the abdomen and a slight temperature for the last two days, so that I asked him to lie down. He looks, as he always does, cheerful. At this moment - 2.30your dear letter No. 427 has been brought to me.
I kiss you fondly and thank you for all that you write.May God bless you and our dear children !
Your deeply loving old hubby
Nicky
Stavka. 14 January, 1916.
MY PRECIOUS,
This will be my last letter. Yesterday a great many generals and other persons of high rank arrived here to take part in the commission under Alexeiev's presidency for the discussion of the questions about supplies, coal and other things. Pr. Ouroussov, who works in the Red Cross, as well as in connection with the organisation of the begentzi, together with Gen. Ivanov, have arrived; then, to my great astonishment, the Mayor of Moscow, Chelnokov, the President of the Soius Gorodov, and several other distinguished persons from various other ministries. I invited them to dinner. - A few minutes before dinner I received Chelnokov privately-he presented to me a warm address from Moscow, in which he thanks the troops for the good reception which was accorded to the delegation sent for the distribution of presents to the soldiers.-He breathed heavily, and jumped every second from his chair while he was speaking. I asked him whether he was feeling well, to which he answered in the affirmative, but added, that he was accustomed to present himself before Nicolasha, and had not at all expected to see me here. This reply, and his general bearing, pleased me this time!
Poor Alexeiev sat with them yesterday evening from 9 to 12. And to-day again.
Now, after Feodorov, Voeikov has fallen ill with influenza: foolish man, two days ago he had a fit of shivering, and when he took his temperature it was 39deg.. 1 persuaded him with difficulty to stay in bed this morning, but now he has got up again. Our Poliakov put 17 cuppings on his chest and back, which helped him considerably, otherwise he might have got inflammation of the lungs!
I thank you and kiss you heartily for your dear letter No. 428, which has only just arrived.
Well, farewell. God guard you, my beloved Sunny, my precious darling ! I kiss you and the dear children tenderly. In 2 days, God willing, we shall be together again.
Your
NICKY.
Telegram. Orsha. 16 January, 1916
Hearty thanks for letter. I have returned, very pleased with the inspection. The weather is propitious. My invalids, V. and F., are better...
Telegram.
Stavka. 14 January, 1916.
Am very grateful for dear letter. In the evening I go over to the train, leave for Bobrouisk during the night. Warm, greyish weather. I embrace all tenderly.
NICKY.
Telegram. Bobrouisk. 15 January, 1916.
I have just held the inspection of the Zabaikaltzi. Am very pleased. Thanks for yesterday's telegram. The weather is sunny, windy...
Stavka. 28 January, 1916.
MY OWN DARLING,
Again I must leave you and the children-my home, my little nest - and I feel so sad and dejected, but do not want to show it. God grant that we may not be parted for long - I hope to return on the 8th of February. Do not grieve and do not worry! Knowing you well, I am afraid that you will ponder over what Misha told us to-day, and that this question will torment you in my absence. Please let it alone!
My joy, my Sunny, my adorable little Wify, I love you and long for you terribly!
Only when I see the soldiers and sailors do I succeed in forgetting you for a few moments - if it is possible! With regard to the other questions, I am going away this time with greater peace of mind, because I have unlimited confidence in Sturm.
God guard you! I kiss you all fondly.
Always your
Nicky
Telegram. Vyshki Rwy. 29 January, 1916.
Many thanks for letter yesterday evening. I am very pleased with the inspection. Have seen many troops. My company of Kabardintzi was in the Guard of Honour...
Telegram. Army in the Field. 31 January, 190.
To-day there was a splendid review of two cavalry divisions. Am very grateful for yesterday's letter, and for the second, just received...
Telegram. Army in the Field. 30 January, 1916
Have just finished a big inspection. Saw Tatiana's regiment. Found them all in splendid condition and order. The weather is warm. I embrace all closely.
Nicky
Stavka. 1 February, 1916
MY OWN BELOVED SUNNY,
At last I have found a free evening to talk to you quietly. I long for you intensely. First of all I hasten to thank you for your three dear letters. They came, of course, very irregularly, because the train travelled backwards and forwards on the line, as it was near Dvinsk, where bad birds fly. A great deal of snow has fallen for the last three days, which makes it hopeless for them!
The inspection of the 1st Army was held not far from the little station of Vyshki. To my great joy a company of the Kabardinsky Regiment was stationed there, but it contained only one officer of my acquaintance, and several men who were in Livadia! Among numbers of cavalry regiments were two regiments of Mamma's and Ksenia's (I could not find Gordinsky). But your Alexandrovtzi and my Pavlovtzi were not present. Such a pity! They had only just been sent to the trenches, to relieve the infantry. Good Lord ! - what does your poor Plehve look like ? As green as a corpse, blinder and more bent than ever, and scarcely able to move his legs. Sitting on horseback, he threw himself so far back that I thought he felt giddy. He assured me that he rode very often; but I doubt it.
The troops were in excellent condition, the horses also. After lunch I had a talk with Plehve. He reasons quite soundly and normally; his head is fresh and his thoughts clear, and when he is sitting down he seems all right, but he presents a grievous sight when he gets up.
I spoke severely to him about Bonch-Brouievitch - that he was to get rid of him, and so forth. Then I had a good walk along the main road. At 6 o'clock we passed through Dvinsk. There is the usual lighting in the streets of the town. I saw only one searchlight illuminating the dark horizon !
We spent the night somewhere near Polotzk, and on the morning of the 30th of January returned to Drissa. There I was met by Everth and Gen. Litvinov of the 1st Army, and three cavalry divisions the 8th, 14th and one of the Siberian Cossacks. Tatiana's Uhlans looked fine fellows, as did all the other troops. So tidily, cleanly and well dressed and equipped, such as I have seldom seen, even in peace time I Truly excellent I They all look so well in their grey papakhi [Caucasian fur caps), but at the same time they so resemble one another that it is difficult to tell to which regiment they belong.
Yesterday, the 31st Jan., the last inspection was held, at which the 6th and 13th cavalry divisions were present. They are just as fine fellows as they used to be in former times. The weather is not at all cold - 3-4 deg. of frost-and it is again snowing. Of course the old man rode again on horseback, and was very proud of it-he talks to everyone about it, which drives Nilov to fury !
After lunch, the train left the station of Borkovitchi; at 3 o'clock we passed through Vitebsk and Orsha, and arrived here at 11 o'clock in the evening. The air was lovely, so that Voeikov, Grabbe, Kedrov and I took a refreshing walk before going to bed. To-day at 10 in the morning I moved into my quarters and spent two and a half hours with Alexeiev.
In Mogilev I found Sergey, who has already installed himself here, but none of the foreigners, except Williams, as they have all gone to Odessa for a time. During the day I walked in the garden, because there was not enough time to drive out. I had to settle down to my papers, and only finished with them towards dinner.
It is late now, I am very tired, so that I must wish you good-night, my darling Wify, my only and my all! Why is it that you cannot sleep, my poor dear one?
2 February.
I have only just finished lunch with all the foreigners; they arrived yesterday evening.
This morning I went to church, and later had a long conversation with Alexeiev concerning the retiring of Plehve and Bonch-Brouievitch. It transpires (apparently) that the latter is hated by everyone in the army, beginning with the highest generals!
To-morrow I shall have to find a successor for him (Plehve). Your dear letter No. 436 and telegram have been received. I thank you tenderly. How troublesome that you have pains in your face, and even a swelling I My dear, I am so sorry for you ! The water in Mogilev has again had a bad effect on my stomach; in every other respect I feel well. I thank you also for the charming Bower. Now I must finish, beloved.
God guard you and the children! I embrace you closely and kiss you tenderly.
Eternally your old hubby
Nicky.
From reading the letters one can see that Nicky was not only tender and caring, but he also had a slight sense of humour and yet an innocence that seems to surpass what he should have understood of the world by then. I personally find his character very endearing.
Stavka. 4 February, 1916.
MY DARLING SUNNY,
My warmest thanks for dear letter. I read with interest the extract you sent me from N.P.'s letter.
I am very happy about our great success in the Caucasus -1 never supposed that Erzerum would be taken so soon. It appears that our troops, after attacking the forts, had to stop [were ordered not to advance further); but their onslaught was so impetuous that they broke through to the rear of the Turks, and in this way occupied the town. - This information came to me from Tiflis from N. in 7 minutes, just as we were getting up from the table.
Alek was calm and not excited. He made a long report, and then offered to show me some experiments with asphyxiating gases. - Three officers and two chemists in various masks went into a carriage and stayed there over 30 minutes. I could watch them through the windowshow they stood and walked about in those terrible yellow fumes. Even in the open air the horrible stench could be detected. Strange people. They make these experiments with delight-like a sport!
Now, about my plans. - I want to return in order to be present at the opening of the G. Duma and the G. Soviet. Please do not speak of this as yet. I am leaving on Saturday, to hold an inspection of the wonderful 1st Siberian Corps, and arrive at Tsarskoe on Monday, the 8th. - Shall stay there for two days, and hastily return here, because I have ordered our military conference for Thursday the 11th, with the participation of all the Commanders-in-Chief. I intended to do this from the very beginning, but somehow it could not be arranged.
I shall be very happy to see you and the children-if only for 2 days-it is better than nothing. Now, my darling, my dear, swollen-cheeked Wify, I must finish.
God guard you all! I kiss you and the children fondly.
I remain
Your faithful and tenderly devoted
Nicky.
Stavka. 6 February, 1916.
MY BELOVED WIFY,
I thank you sincerely for your last two letters. I cannot understand what was the matter with you - I am speaking of the pains in your face. I hope that they will be gone by my return, and that both of Alexey's arms will be better. Kiss him tenderly for me.
After a lengthy and complicated discussion with Alexeiev, I have decided to appoint Kouropatkin in Plehve's place. - I know that this will provoke a great many rumours and criticisms, but what can one do if there are so few good men? So that I sent for him and told him about it yesterday.
You ask me about Rouszky. He wrote a little while ago, complaining of his health, and saying that ever since the month of October he has been unable to get rid of the polzouchy plevrit (literally, creeping pleurisy). I hope that, with God's help, Kouropatkin will be a good Commanderin-Chief. He will be directly tinder the Stavka, and in this way he will not have on his shoulders the same responsibility which he had in Manchuria. You can be quite sure that the, armies under his command will welcome the appointment. He spoke very. well and judiciously of his new position, and will come back here to the military conference.
The sums received and spent by your sklad (Red Cross depot) are enourmous - I should never have thought that they could reach such dimensions.
I look forward with impatience to to-morrow's review, at which I hope to see the first eight Siberian regiments, with mine at the head.
It is snowing to-day, and a strong wind blowing. - If it would only stop for Sunday!
May God guard you and the children! And so, in a day's time, I shall be able to press you to my heart, my dear child, my Sunny. I kiss all fondly.
Always your
Nicky.
Stavka. 12 February, 1916.
MY DEAREST,
I thank you most warmly for your dear letter - the first that I received here. I am returning you the French book; I am reading the new English one with avidity, when there is leisure. The journey was absolutely quiet. I insisted on our train not making more than 40 versts an hour. Four commanders-in-chief met me here on the platform. I saw Alexeiev for a minute, then, at 6, went to the Staff quarters, where the conference dragged on till 8, and was continued immediately after dinner till close on 12.30. Plehve looked like a dead man; he was so pale. To-day he is lying down in his sleeping carriage, unable to moveprobably over-fatigued!
On the whole I am quite satisfied with the results of our long conference.-They disputed much among themselves. I asked them all to speak out plainly, because, in these important problems, truth is of the utmost significance. I prefer not to write on this subject, but will tell you about it all when we meet.
It is very cold and windy.
I must finish. God keep you, my dear! I kiss you and the dear children affectionately.
Eternally your old
Nicky.
Stavka. 13 February, 1916.
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
The courier has not yet arrived. I have finished with my papers, and therefore have more time for my letter.
To-day is the regimental festival of my Uhlans - they are resting somewhere in southern Galicia. In honour of the day I have promoted Zamoisky to be Wing-Adjutant (A.D.C.). I have inherited him from Nicolasha; he was attached to him as orderly.
There has been a lot of bother all these last days, especially for me. First of all, the conference, which lasted for 6 hours. At the same time I had to speak seriously to some of the generals, to receive Sandro with a long report, Boris after his review, Polivanov and Admiral Phillimore, who has returned from Arkhangelsk. Yesterday Dmitry appeared unexpectedly on his way through for a ten days' leave. I shall see him for a little time at my leisure today.
Sandro is in excellent spirits. He is going home for five days - try to see him.
Olga writes that she is leaving Kiev for a few days in order to visit her regiment, as she has not so much to do at the present time.
When free from work, I enjoy reading the book, "The Room of Secrets." It reminds me in some ways of a book which we read together.
For the last two days the weather has been very unfavourable for long walks - a strong wind has been blowing, with frost and snow, so that I was compelled to walk in the tiny garden!!! Poor little one!!!
They have just brought me your dear, scented letter, and Olga's. - I thank you heartily for them and for the interesting news from Victoria's letter. This scent excites and brings forth wonderful memories; it quite drew me to you I I must finish now. I hope that you are feeling better.
May God bless you and the children I I kiss you tenderly Your old
Nicky.
Give her my greetings.
Stavka. 15 February, 19x6.
MY OWN DARLING,
I thank you sincerely for dear letter-my old heart beats faster every time when I open and read them. Everything is absolutely quiet here now. All the plans for the approaching offensive (the word offensive is omitted in the text) are prepared, and are now being put into executionhence, Alexeiev has proposed to me to go home (i.e., has suggested that I might go home). - I shall start during the day on Wednesday, and hope to reach home on Thursday at 11 o'clock in the morning. I shall stay for a week and a half. Will this not be splendid, darling?
Just now, after lunch, I found your letter no. 446 on my table, and thank you most warmly for it. How annoying that you have a cough and a temperature of 37-3!
Why?
This morning, after having got up, I allowed Botkin to sound and examine me all over. - He asked to be allowed to do it here, as there is more time here - he had not overhauled me like this since I was in the Crimea. He found everything in order, and the heart even better than last time
Strange!
George has arrived, but I have not yet seen him, because his train was late. To-morrow Sir Arthur Paget is coming, and will present me with the Field-Marshal's baton. I have asked all the English officers who are staying here to be present at this little ceremony.
I received Georgie's letter before - it was brought by Gen. Williams, who saw Paget in Petrograd.
Now, my dear Wify, I must finish this, my last letter.
God preserve you all I
I kiss and embrace you fondly.
Your old
NICKY
Stavka. 3 March, 1916.
My PRECIOUS DARLING,
Your telegram, in Which you inform me that you had slept well and that your face had not ached much, consoled me greatly, as I felt worried at leaving you in such a condition!
The journey was good, but I felt so tired yesterday in the train that I remained lying down in my coupé till tea-time, and after dinner I read this interesting book. - Having slept yesterday for 10 hours, I feel well again to-day.
Telegram. Stavka. 3 March, 1916.
Have arrived safely. It was fairly cold during the night. Here it is moderately warm. I have finished the book to-day. I feel lonely, but well. I kiss you tenderly and passionately and thank you for the telegram.
NICKY.
Telegram.
Stavka. 4 March, 1916.
Sincerest thanks for dear letter, also for Marie's long letter. I have written. Had a nice walk. The weather is mild, dull. I kiss all tenderly.
NICKY.
Stavka. 5 March, 1916.
MY OWN,
My heartfelt thanks for your long letter, with the details of your talk with N.P., as well as for Olga's and Alexey's letters. They have arrived very punctually to-day. I am very grateful to you for writing to me about all this beforehand, and thus preparing me for the conversation with him and Kyrill. - Why are you again anxious about A., now that everything is in St.'s hands? On Monday, I hope, his appointment will be made public. Khv. has written a long letter to me; speaks of his devotion and so on, does not understand the reason, and asks to be received. I forwarded this to St. with an endorsement (to the effect) that I had never doubted his loyalty, but shall receive him later, if, by his good behaviour and tact, he deserves to be received. It is a damnable story!
Sergey has come back to-day. Poor old Pau is laid up with rheumatism in the knee, so that Feodorov visits him from time to time. As far as I know, he is quite at ease in regard to the battle at Verdun. The French have lost 42,000 men, but the German losses must be at least four times as great!
The courier has to leave in a quarter of an hour. I have finished the book with regret, and shall reread it aloud with delight. - May God guard you, my beloved Sunny!
I kiss and embrace you and the children affectionately.
Eternally your old
NICKY.
Stavka. 7 March, 1916.
MY PRECIOUS SUNNY,
I thank you most warmly for your dear letters. I was greatly vexed at not being able to write to you yesterday, but indeed I was very busy. I received all day long, and was left in peace only at 10.15 in the evening. Gen. Callwell has come from England, together with another very interesting manMajor Sykes, who has travelled all his life in Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, and knows the Turks and Arabs well. He has told me many strange and noteworthy things. To-day he has already started for Tiflis, in order to give N. all necessary information. Callwell is also going there soon, as Georgie has commissioned him to present the highest English Order to Youdenitch. Yesterday dear old Pilz
went to Petrograd, to the place of his new appointment. He was féted here, and all the people saw him off in a remarkably warm and touching manner. Taking leave of me in my room, he wept, and begged me to be careful concerning the story about our Friend - of course with the best intentions, and for our own good.
The weather is getting gradually warmer, but it is dreadful that we never see the sun!
I am glad that you saw old Sturmer, and now know his opinion of some of the Ministers and of things in general. I cannot understand why you think that the Admiral has a bad influence on V. They meet only at the table, and say very rude things to one another. The Admiral is deeply attached to Feodorov; I had a long, thorough talk with the latter. I must finish this letter.
May God guard you, my darling, and the children! I kiss you all tenderly (her as well).
Eternally your old
NICKY.
Stavka. 9 March, 190.
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
I thank you most warmly for your dear letters, and for the love which enriches every one of your lines! I rejoice in them, drinking in each word of the letter, breathing its perfume, and pressing to my lips the paper which has been touched by your hands.
How strange that the weather with you has suddenly changed, and that severe frosts have set in! Whereas here it is thawing rapidly - that is the chief reason why our offensive is beginning in a few days. If we wait another week, the trenches in many sectors of our front will be flooded with water and the troops would have to be taken very far back. If that happened they would be deprived of the chance of moving forward for a month or a month and a half, till the roads got dry.
Then the Germans would undoubtedly attack us with an enormous mass of heavy artillery, as they did last summer. For this reason, therefore, it has been decided to take the initiative into our own hands, taking advantage of the onslaught at Verdun. May God guard and bless our valiant troops! I beg you not to tell anyone of this.
Yesterday I went to a cinematograph which was particularly interesting, because we saw many photographs of Erzerum immediately after its fall. The high mountains are amazingly beautiful covered with deep snow, glistening in the sunlight.
After this we saw two amusing pictures with Max Linder in the chief part - this would probably have appealed to the children.
I am glad that you have found a new book for us to read aloud (for our reading aloud). Have those two books from Marshton (Marston) come yet from England? So far I have no time to read for my own pleasure, although I play dominoes in the evening every other day.
Well, I think it is time for me to finish my letter. God guard you, my darling Wify, and our children! I kiss and embrace you all tenderly.
Your old hubby
NICKY.
Stavka. 10 March, 1916.
MY BELOVED,
I thank you warmly for your dear letters - they are my consolation in my loneliness here. The days seem to fly; I have lots of work to do, see crowds of all sorts of people, and yet do not feel tired. Unfortunately I have not even time for reading!
Your lovely lilies of the valley smell deliciously - many thanks! I was very glad to see N.P. Kyrill and he dined with me yesterday and lunched to-day - now they have gone. Last night I talked with them for a long time, and agreed to leave the battalion at its present strength - 4 full companies; it ought not to be reduced by one man till the end of the war. To-day Kyrill spoke to me about the "P. Zvezda." I told him that it had been agreed between Mamma and me to appoint Lialin, but that he should ask her again, if he wished, although I doubted very much whether she would change her decision. Shir.-Shikh. is an excellent man, but he has not been on any ship for many years.
I have at last found a successor for Polivanov - it is Schouvaiev, whom I can trust absolutely. I have not spoken to him yet. Further, I intend to attach old Ivanov to my person, and to appoint Broussilov or Shcherbatchev to his post - probably the former. After P.'s removal I shall sleep in peace, and all the Ministers will feel relieved as well.
11 March.
The morning work with Alexeiev occupies all my time till lunch, but now it has become of absorbing interest. Cold weather has set in here as well - at Riga the frost reaches 100 at night - it is terrible for the poor wounded, and for the troops, who are posted on many sectors of the front in the snow, opposite the enemy's wire entanglements.
May God bless you and the children, my dear! I kiss you all tenderly. I thank A. for her charming letter.
Eternally your old hubby
NICKY.
Stavka. 14 March, 1916.
MY BELOVED WIFY,
For the last 3 days there was no time whatever to write to you; I was very busy with the military operations and the redistribution (of the troops). I had to write to Pol. and explain why I was dissatisfied. I am quite certain that kind old Schouvaiev is just the right man for the post of Minister of War. He is honest, absolutely loyal, is not at all afraid of the Duma, and knows all the faults and short comings of these committees. Then I had to receive and read my beastly papers - all in such a hurry!
The Ministers are beginning to arrive here now, one after another - the first was Naoumov, then Shakhovskoy, and so on. To-day I had a conversation with General Manikovsky - the commander of the chief Art(illery) Dept. He told me that he would like to send in his resignation, as Pol.'s behaviour to him was quite impossible. When he heard that P. is dismissed and Schouv. appointed, he crossed himself three times. Old Ivanov will be replaced by Broussilov.
You see that your hubby has been working during these days - many changes have already been made, and more will take ace - including Rongin as well.
How sad that you have pains in your face and eye! Is it due to nerves? I am so sorry, my dear, that I cannot be with you and console you when you are suffering!
Things are moving very slowly at the front; in several places we have sustained heavy losses, and many generals are making serious blunders. The worst of it is, that we have so few good generals. It seems to me that during the long Winter rest they have forgotten all the experience which they acquired last year. Lord! I am beginning to complain, but that is ne nado! I feel firm, and believe absolutely in our final success. May God bless you, my own, my all, MY treasure, my darling! I kiss you and the children fondly. Greetings to A.
Eternally your old hubby
NICKY.
Stavka. 15 March, 1916.
MY TREASURE
I thank you tenderly for your dear letters. I cannot tell you how I sympathise with you when you are oppressed by those terrible pains in the face, and how I long to be near you at those times in order to comfort you! It is quite impossible for me to decide when I shall be able to come home for a few days - perhaps not for some time, and perhaps in about a week.
What I was afraid of has happened. Such a great thaw has set in that the positions occupied by our troops where we have moved forward are flooded with water knee-deep, so that it is impossible either to sit or to lie down in the trenches. The roads are rapidly deteriorating; the artillery and the transport are scarcely moving. Even the most heroic troops cannot fight under such conditions, when it is impossible even to entrench oneself. In consequence, our offensive had to be stopped, and another plan will have to be worked out. In order to discuss this, I am thinking of summoning three Commanders-in-Chief to the Stavka, which will give me an opportunity for seeing Broussilov before his new movement.
You write that you have heard it seems there is much talk in town of the losses among some of the Guard regiments. That is an invention, as they are 50 versts from the firing line, and I still hold them in reserve in the extreme rear. They have moved forward a little towards Dvinsk - that is all. I agree with your opinion about M. P. Sablin. It would be excellent if Eberhardt took him to himself as Chief of Staff, but I never insist upon this sort of appointment, because the Chief of Staff must give absolute satisfaction to his commander. A little while ago Admiral Eberhardt went to Batoum and had a long conversation with Nic. concerning the plan of the combined military (and naval) operations against Trapezound (Trebizond). Our dear plastouni will have to play a big part in them.
As far as I know, all loyal and right-thinking people applaud the appointment of Schouvaiev.
Now, darling, I must finish. May God bless you and the children! I kiss and embrace you tenderly, and sincerely hope that your pains will soon and completely disappear.
Eternally your old hubby
NICKY.
Stavka. 16 March, 1916.
Many thanks to you and Anastasia for letters. The terrible fog persists. The break-up of the ice on the river has begun; the water has risen very high. I also have received a letter from the energetic sailor in the Far North. I embrace you tenderly.
NICKY.
Stavka. 15 March, 1916.
I thank you heartily for precious letter, as well as Marie and Alexey. Thick fog, fairly warm. In thought we are always together. I kiss you tenderly.
NICKY.
Stavka. 17 March, 1916.
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
This letter will be handed to you by Schouvaiev - so I hope that you will soon receive him.
I also return R.'s letter, which is very like the one sent to me by him a few days ago through Admiral Phillimore. I will show it to you when I return home. For three successive days we have been sitting in a thick fog, and that has a truly depressing effect. The spring is coming rapidly; the Dnieper broke up yesterday and has risen considerably; but so far there are no floods in this district. Yesterday I had a drive in a car, and took one of my last year's favourite autumnal walks, in the direction of the bank, to the place which Baby had liked so much too. The view was truly magnificent-the whole river was covered with blocks of ice; they moved swiftly but noiselessly, and only occasionally could be heard the sharp sound or the clashing of two large ice-blocks. We all stood for a long time admiring this spectacle. Only think, it is for the first time in my life that I have seen such an aspect of nature - with the exception, of course, of the Neva - in town - which is, naturally, quite a different thing.
Perhaps it will soon be possible to go out in boats!
Can you imagine - the other day the little Admiral asked Grabbe to put at his disposal a quiet Cossack horse for riding! He is delighted, enjoys his rides, feels very well, and sleeps better. But he always sets out and returns in such a way that we shall not see him on his jaunts; queer fellow I now I must go to the Report.
Fancy, Alexeiev told me that I could go home for a week! All the Commanders-in-Chief are coming here about the 30th or 31st, as I have, perhaps, written before. I am very glad of this unexpected luck. May God bless you, my Sunny, my beloved dear Wify, my little child! I kiss you and the children tenderly.
Eternally your old hubby
NICKY.
The Man who was Dead," a story by A. W. Marchmont.
"Little Boy Blue" the hero of "Through the Postern Gate," a once popular novel by Florence L. Barclay. This book seems to have appealed profoundly to the Tsar and the Tsaritsa, and there are several playful allusions to it in their correspondence. The choice of such a book and the impression which it made are facts of some significance, and help us to realise vividly the tastes and proclivities of the royal couple.
Stavka. 31 March, 1916.
MY BELOVED SUNNY,
At last I have snatched a minute to sit down and write to you after a five days' silence - a letter is a substitute for conversation, not like telegrams.
I thank you tenderly for your dear letters - your first seems to have come so long ago! What joy it is to get several in one day, (as I did) on the way, coming home!
During the journey I read from morning till night - first of all I finished "The Man who was Dead," then a French book, and to-day a charming tale about little Boy Blue! I like it; Dmitry does too. I had to resort to my handkerchief several times. I like to re-read some of the parts separately, although I know them practically by heart. I find them so pretty and true! I do not know why, but it reminded me of Coburg and Walton!
I am very pleased with my tour. Thank God, all has passed off well I You can imagine how agreeably surprised I was when, riding round the troops at a big review, I saw our dear Cossacks, who smirked and smiled broadly, beginning with Joukov, and down to the last soldier - among them Shvedov and Zborovsky. I gave them greetings from you and the girls. They had only just returned from the trenches. The weather was beastly - a strong wind, with sun, hail and rain. Unfortunately I did not see your Krymtzi!
The Staff of the 9th Army prepared a simple lunch for me in the little town of Khotin, where I also visited two hospitals. That day we spent 9 hours in the open air. In Kamenetz-Podolsk the generals dined with me in the train. I had much conversation with Keller, and gave him your greetings. He has not changed at all. The next day, that is yesterday, I inspected the recently formed division - the 3rd Trans-Amur Infantry Division. It made an excellent impression - magnificent, tall fellows, real guardsmen. During the review we heard our guns firing at Austrian aeroplanes which were dropping bombs on both of our bridges over the Dniester. Then I visited 2 more hospitals and (saw) Lechitzky; he is beginning to recover, but is still lying down. I left Kamenetz-Podolsk after lunch; the weather had by then become warm and clear, and I arrived here to-night at 9.30. I went to bed rather late, as I had to prepare myself for the military conference.
1 April.
A warm, grey morning after a night's rain - just the right weather for a prolonged conference (literally, sitting). It began at 10 o'clock and lasted till lunch-time, and will be resumed immediately.
Dmitry is leaving this evening; he will spend three days at home and then return to his regiment. I asked him to go to see you. I forgot to tell you that I saw Misha twice at Kamenetz-Podolsk. He left before me for his division, which is stationed not far from Kamenetz-Podolsk.
Now, my angel, my tender darling. I must finish. May God bless you and the children!
