The Empress Alexandra Fights Back

[No. 7. Tsarskoe Selo, 24-th Sept. 1914]

No. 7. Tsarskoe Selo, 24-th Sept. 1914
We shall be at 11 at the hospital,

No. 7. Tsarskoe Selo, 24-th Sept. 1914
Sergei is a little better

Letter No. 9. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 21-st 1914
Very bad wounds; for the first time I shaved one of the soldiers legs near and round the wound - I worked all alone to-day, without a sister or Dr. - only the Princess came to see each man and to what was the matter with him and I asked her if it was right what I intended doing - tiresome Mlle Annenkov gave me the things I asked for. Then we went back to our little hospital and sat in the different rooms with the officers.

Letter No. 9. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 21-st 1914
After tea we went to M. and A.'s hospital - they have several very gravely wounded men. Upstairs are 4 officers in most cosy rooms. - Then I received 3 officers who return to the Active Army - one lay in our hospital and the other 2 in my redcross station here;

Letter No. 9. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 21-st 1914
We bound up the officers from 10-11 and then went to the big hospital for three operations - serious ones rather, 3 fingers were taken off as blood poisoning had set in, and they were quite rotten. Another had, an "oskolok" taken out of his - another lots of fragments (bones) out of his leg. I went through several wards.

Letter No. 9. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 21-st 1914
Now I must be off to my supply train No. 4.

Letter No. 10. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 22-nd 1914
Then we had the P-ss. for our lecture. We have finished a full surgical course, with more things than usual, and now shall go through anatomy and interior illnesses as its good to know that all for the girls too. -
I have been sorting out warm things for the wounded returning home - and going back to the army again.

Letter No. 10. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 22-nd 1914
We had little to do this morning and so I sat nearly all the time and did not get tired. - We went a moment to Mme Levitzky to see her 18 wounded, all our old friends. Now we must eat and fly - too bad, C-ss Adlerberg has found out we go and wants to come- but I have told Iza to answer that she knows nothing and once I say nothing, it means I wish it to be kep secret, so as abetter to see things than when all is prepared.

Letter No.11. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 23-rd 1914
24-th. I must finish my letter, then lunch, change and be off to town to my store and if headache not much worse, then to my Krestov Red Cross Station. –

Letter No. 12. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 24-th 1914
Lots of people were working in the Winter Palace and many came to fetch work and others to bring back their finished things. I saw the wife of a Dr. there, who just had a letter from her husband from Kovel, where he is in a military hospital, where they have very little linnen and nothing to dress the men in, when they leave the hospital. So I quickly told them to put lots of linnen and warm undergarments to send to Kovel and a biggish Image of Christ painted on linnen (and brought as a gift to the store) as its a little jewish town and they have no Image in their hospital which is in barracks.

Letter No. 12. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 24-th 1914
There were many wounded at the Red Cross Station to-day, one officer had been 4 days in Olga's hospital and said there was not such a second sister. Some men had very serious wounds. They had mostly been wounded near Suvalki, or been lying since some time at Dvinsk. –

Letter No. 12. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 24-th 1914
so we will lunch and then we have to go to the consecration of the hospital in the "Mixed Regiment" Which has got already wounded out of M. and A.'s hospital, who were already better and had to leave to give place for severely wounded.

Letter No. 13 Tsarskoe Selo October 25-th 1914
After the hospital this morning we went into 2 private houses to see the wounded - always old patients of ours.

Letter No. 13 Tsarskoe Selo October 25-th 1914
At 1/4 to 2 we were at the barracks of the Mixed Regiment looked at the hospital arranged and had a Te Deum and blessed the rooms - the men looked very contented and the sun shone brightly upon them.

Letter No. 13 Tsarskoe Selo October 25-th 1914
after that we sat with our wounded; many of them and all the nurses and ladies had been in Church.

[Letter No. 13 Tsarskoe Selo October 25-th 1914]

Letter No. 13 Tsarskoe Selo October 25-th 1914
26-th.  We just returned from 2 hospitals, where saw wounded officers and the old Priest of your rifles from here, who got overtired and was sent back. –

Letter No. 13 Tsarskoe Selo October 25-th 1914
Now, Loman's train (my name) will only be ready later, am so sorry.

Letter No. 14. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 26-th 1914
After tea we went with Alexei and Ania to the hospital and sat there for an hour and a half - several officers had gone to town as they did not know we would come.

Letter No. 14. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 26-th 1914
I am so glad it has been settled by the Princess and Zeidler that Shesterikov and Rudnev need not be operated, one can leave the bullets in them - its safer as they sit very deep in, and cause no pain. Both are enchanted, walk about again and went to the Consecration of the little Church this morning. –

Letter No. 14. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 26-th 1914
Kulinev we found less well, grown pale and suffers more from his head, poor boy. Young Krusenstern returned to his regiment. Genig lies in the red cross station; he is also contusioned in the head. lies with dark spectacles in a half dark-room. –

Letter No. 14. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 26-th 1914
We intend going to Georgi tomorrow to see his wounded, he only knows the big girls go, about myself I did not say then I shall ask to see Sergei a minute - and go to some smaller hospitals.

Letter No. 14. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 26-th 1914
We have had a busy day - 3 operations this morning, and difficult ones too, so had no time to be with ours in the little house,

Letter No. 14. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 26-th 1914
this afternoon were in town - went to Georgi - the wounded lie in the big room and looked contented. Sat with Sergei find him much changed, greyish complexion, not thin face, eyes strange is a little bit better, had been very bad; saw old Zander there.

Letter No. 14. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 26-th 1914
Then went to the Palace Hospital where wounded (and usual ill) lie - found Mr. Stuart there, lies there since 6 weeks, had typhoid. –

Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914
Probably Babys train will arrive Thursday. –

Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914
We saw Marie's at Alexander. station - the most were wounded in the legs - came from Varsovie hospitals & Grodno.

Letter No. 16 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov.17th 1914
Our work in the hospital is my consolation & the visiting the specially suffering ones in the big palace. –

Letter No. 17. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 18-th 1914
We went straight to the hospital after Fredericks had given me a paper to sign at the station. We had a good deal to do, but I sat long whilst the children worked.

Letter No. 17. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 18-th 1914
I am going to the Childrens' hospital & then to the big palace.

Letter No. 17. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 18-th 1914 Hospital work
Now the children call me to the hospital, so I must be off.

Letter No. 18. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 19-th 1914
Dear me what wretched wounds, I fear some are doomed men; - but I am glad we have them and can at least do -all in our power to help them. - I ought to have gone now to see the rest, but am too awfully tired, as we had 2 operations besides, and at 4 I must go to the big palace, as I want the P-ss also to have a look at the poor boy, and an officer of the 2-nd rifles whose legs are already getting quite dark and one fears an amputation may be necessary.
I was with the boy yesterday during his dressing awful to see, and he clung to me and kept quiet, poor child. - We have some heavy cases in the big Palace.

Letter No. 18. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 19-th 1914
Yesterday we went also to the Children's hospital - sat with Nikolaiev and Lazarev. - A "Volynetz" officer lay in the train to-day - they have only 12 officers in the regiment and few men left.

Letter No. 19 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914
Well, I went to the big Palace to that poor boy's dressing, and somehow it seems to me as tho' the border of the great bedsore wound were getting firmer - the P-ss did not find the tissue too dead looking. She looked at the rifle's leg and finds one ought at once to take it off before it is too late, and it must be done very high. Vladimir Nikolaievitch and Eber man find one must first try another operation of the veins ancurism and if that does not help, then take the leg off. His family want some celebrity to consult - but all are away except Zeidler, who could not come before Friday. I am going to have a talk still with B. v. Huk - the evening I read Rost's papers till 10 o'clock.

[Letter No. 19 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914]

Letter No. 19 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914
and we have at 5 1/4 an amputation (instead of lecture) in the big hospital. This morning we were present (I help as always, giving the instruments and Olga threaded the needles) at our first big amputation (whole arm was cut off) then we all had dressings (in our small hospital) very serious ones in the big hospital. - I had wretched hed fellows with awful wounds..., scarcely a "man" any more, so shot to pieces, perhaps it must be cut off as so black, but hope to save it - terrible to look at. I washed and cleaned, and painted with iodine and smeared with vaseline and tied them up and bandaged all up - it went quite well and I feel happier to do the things gently myself under the guidance of a Dr. - I did three such - and one had a little tube in it. Ones heart bleeds for them - I wont describe any more details, as its so sad, but being a wife and mother I feet for them quite particulary - a young nurse (girl) I sent out of the room Mlle Annenkov is already older - the young doctor so kind –

Letter No. 19 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914
My nose is full of hideous smells from those blood-poisoning wounds. One of the officers in the big palace showed me German fabricated dum-dums, very long, narrow at the tip, red copper like things. –

Letter No. 21. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
100 questions, papers - beginning by Viltchkovsky in the hospital, every morning questions to answer, resolutions to be taken and so on - and my brain is not as strong or fresh as it was before my heart got so bad all these years.
I understand what you feel like of a morning when one after the other come bothering you with questions. - At the hospital I received a "Khansha" who gave M-me Mdivani motors and was going to send an unit for the Caucasian troops on the German frontier now she asked my permission to change, and have it in the Caucasus where sanitary help is yet more deficient. –

Letter No. 21. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
then to our hospital where I had heaps to do, the girls nothing and then to an operation in the big hospital. And we showed our officers to Zeidler to ask advice. –

Letter No. 21. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
Just back from the big Palace and dressings I looked at, and sat with officers.

Letter No. 22.   Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 23rd 1914, Sunday 
after which must meet my Sanitary train.

Letter No. 23 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 24th 1914
We had 4 operations this morning in the big hospital and then officers dressings –

Letter No. 23 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 24th 1914
Now we have placed officers in the big palace on the opposite side too; General Tancray (the father of mine) lies there too. - I am going off to see them at 4, the poor little fellow with the terrible wound always begs me to come.

Letter No. 23 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 24th 1914
Masses of your Mamas 11th Siberian regiment came in my train, 7 of her officers lie here in different trains. –

Letter No. 23 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 24th 1914
A. Eugenie has 100 wounded in the hall and adjoining room. -

Letter No. 23 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 24th 1914
Wonder whether you saw my supply store at K.; the Gov. is on bad terms with the Rebinders and so does not give a penny to my store, alas.

Letter No. 24. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 25th 1914
We were occupied all morning - during an operation a soldier died - it was too sad - the first time it had happened to the Princess and she has done 1000 of operations already; Hemorrhage. All behaved well, none lost their head - and the girlies were brave - they and Ania had never seen a death. But he died in a minute - it made us all so sad as you can imagine - how near death always is! We continued another operation. To-morrow we have the same one again and may end fatally too, but God grant not, but one must try and save the man.

No. 25 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 26-th 1914
and we till 1 to the little hospital - a small operation and 19 dressings, people I mean, as some had many wounds to be seen after. Very warm again. At 4 I am going to the big palace, because they daily wait for the motor and are disappointed if we dont go, which happens rarely and the little boy begged me to come earlier to-day. –

Letter No. 26. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 27-th. 1914
Worked the whole morning and had a big operation.

Letter No. 26. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 27-th. 1914
From there we went to the big palace to all the wounded they wait for the motor daily, so there is no way of keeping away. I find the young boy gradually getting worse, the temp. is slowly falling, but the pulse remains far too quick, in the evenings he is off of his head and so weak. The wound is much cleaner, but the smell they say is quite awful. He will pass away gradually - I only hope not

Letter No. 26. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 27-th. 1914
and then the P-ss.

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
We were at the hospital all the morning & as usual Viltchkovsky's report there.

[Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914]

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
Then quickly changed, lunched & off to town to the Pokrovsky Committee on Vasiliev Island. The 3 Buchanans & some more English of the committee & nurses received us. A big ward for officers & a nice saloon for on for them with chintz & 3 rooms for men, quite simple & nice. Then we went through the wards & saw more wounded, & in the yard there was a big building belonging to the Committee of the City Hospital - in the upper story were 130 wounded.

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
From there we rushed to my store - masses of ladies working I am glad to see & heaps of things prepared.

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
The Commandor of my 21-st Siberian regiment arrived to-day - happily his wounds are but slight. –

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
We went to the local hospital & there I gave 4 medals to amputated soldiers - there were no very heavy cases otherwise. -
Then we went to the big palace to see all our wounded - they are already sorrowing that they wont see us so long. –

Letter No. 18. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 19-th 1914
At 9 Olga, Anastasia, Baby and I went off to his train. We have very heavy wounded this time, the train was at Sukhatchev, 6 versts from the battle, and the windows shook from the artillery. Aeroplanes were flying there and over Varsovie. Schulenburg says that the 13 and 14 Sib. were hideously afraid off all and thought God was with the Germans, not grasping what the aeropl. were and so on, and one could not get them to advance - all new troops, and not real Siberians. They have discovered our 6 motors of his train, which had disappeared since the 1-st - they are at Lodz only cant get away, otherwise may be taken, but they do still bring wounded. Lots came on foot now so have their lungs in a precarious state.

Letter No. 21. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
I could not get to sleep this night, so at 2 wrote to A. to tell her to let the naval wives know there is an occasion safely to forward letters or packets then I sorted out booklets, gospels (I Apostel), prayers to take for the sailors, goodies and sugared fruits for the officers - perhaps shall find still warm things to add. –

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
Then we came home I lay & read heaps of papers from Rost. –

Letter No. 28. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 1st,1914
Then I went to the local hospital on Saturday, yesterday to the Invalides, to-day to our big hospital (took Alexei) & gave medals in your name they were so awfully happy & grateful poor miserable fellows. - We shall miss our sick & they were sad to bid us goodbye. –

Letter No. 30 Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 14-th
At Petrograd one says scarcely a vacant bed. Babys train arrives from Varshau to-day –

Letter No. 31. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 15-th 1914
In town there are scarcely any vacancies, don't know where I shall send my trains if they dont give me Finland. –
Letter No. 32. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 16-th 1914 Hospital work
Have been reading through lots of papers & feel quite idiotical. –

Letter No. 32. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 16-th 1914
From my store trains good news & begging always for more things, as the troops know them already, & when in need, turn up. –

Letter No. 32. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 16-th 1914
It seems masses of sanitary trains were sent here to town instead of Moscou, whilst we were there & there are no more Vacancies at Petrograd.

Letter No. 32. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 16-th 1914
Loman has not returned, as thank God there are few wounded at the present moment. –

[Ella]

At this point I thought it might give some historic context to the Empress' relations with her sister Ella in 1914 by posting the theme Ella.  I think it will be clear that Ella is mentioned in the Empress' correspondence in 1914 only in connection with Ella's duties as vice-president of the "Supreme Council for the Care of Soldiers' Families, and of Families of the Wounded and Dead," as well as and in connection with Ella's own Moscow nursing activities. 

On 11th August 1914 there was formed, by Imperial ukase, the Supreme Council for the Care of Soldiers' Families, and of Families of the Wounded and Dead.  At the head of this Council, in the capacity of president, was placed the Empress Alexandra, who was assisted by her sister, the Grand Duchess Elizabeth, and the eldest daughter of the Emperor, the Grand Duchess Olga, as vice-presidents." [ref: Gronsky, "The War And The Russian Government," p. 30.]

To my knowledge not a single biographer of Ella mentions her vice-presidency of the Supreme Council or of her interaction with her sister Alix in that connection.  I must say that even knowing this brings Ella a bit more alive to me during the first year of the war and one can feel her characteristic energy and ability and Ella's value to the Empress who will call on her to investigate abuses amoung the German POW's.  While I have heard of the backlash that occurred as a result of Ella's enquiry into the condition of the German POW's, I did not know that it had resulted from the Empress' request.  I will post the theme German POW's next.

The condition of the German POW's will prove to be a very dangerous topic for both Ella and the Empress and end in the first cruel accusations against the two women as pro-German.  By the Summer of 1915 the two sister's will be torn apart by growing political and religious differences and in 1916 Ella's harsh oppositon to Empress will cause Ella to get caught up, whether or not Ella fully realized it, in the active support of plots bent on the removal the Empress. This is why the Empress' correspondence in 1914 is so bitter-sweet when it comes to Ella and Alix's attempt to work together for positive good; an ill-fated attempt that will end so tragically.   

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE WITH NICKY 1914
ARRANGED INTO THEMES

ELLA

Letter No. 10. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 22-nd 1914
He told me privately from Ella that she wants to go and see my store at Lvov, without anybody knowing about it - she will come here so as that the Moscou public should know nothing, the first days of November! We envy her and Ducky fearfully - but still hope you will send for us to meet you.

Letter No. 19 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914
Ella arrived Monday - really don't know what to do - wish you were here to ask and this letter will reach you only Saturday at earliest, and then we ought to be off. I shall think it over still.

Letter No. 22.   Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 23rd 1914, Sunday  
Ella arrives to morrow evening.

Letter No. 23 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 24th 1914
Ella arrives this evening. –

Letter No. 24. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 25th 1914
Ella came for luncheon, remains still to-morrow. We had her report and the 2 Mekk's, Rost. and Apraxin - for 2 hours, that is why I had no time to write a real letter.

Letter No. 24. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 25th 1914
Ella and Children kiss you. Ella says General Schwartz adores you. -

No. 25 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 26-th 1914
Ella went in the afternoon with Olga and me to the big palace and she spoke to all the wounded; one of them was wounded last war and lay at Moscou. and remembers her having come to see him.

Letter No. 30 Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 14-th
I have sent the letter to Ella to enquire into this [mistreatment of German prisoners] and make a good row, its hideous and to me utterly incomprehensible.

Letter No. 30 Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 14-th
Wont you ask Shavelsky to send out the Priest in the regiments more Saint Sacrements and wine, so as that more can take Holy Communion - I send what I can with our store trains, - Ella too. - -

Letter No. 31. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 15-th 1914
Ella wrote in despair, trying to get to the bottom of the things about the trains and hospitals - she beleives the orders came from Petrograd. Often the orders from there are very cruel towards the wounded in the military hospitals. When she knows all, she will write to Alek. –

Letter No. 32. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 16-th 1914
There is something wrong about this evacuation question, Ella is trying to clear it up on her side. –

[Her Triips]

It occurred to me that I had not completed the Empress' involvement in the War until I post the theme, Her Triips which I will now do.  Once this is done we will have a very complete picture in 1914 of the Empress' active involvement in the War Effort.  I wanted to complete the picture before posting the Empress' concerns about the German POW's.

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1914
ARRANGED INTO THEMES

HER TRIPS

Letter No. 10. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 22-nd 1914
It will be hard leaving Baby, whom I have never been long away from, but whilst he is well and M. and A. are there to keep him company, I could get away. Of course I should like it to be a useful journey - best if I could have gone with my train, one of the sanitary ones out to their destination to see how they take in the wounded and bring them back again and look after them. Or meet you at Grodno, Vilna, Bielostok where there are hospitals. But that I all leave in your hands, you will tell me what to do, where to meet you - or to Rovno and Kharkov - whatever suits you - the less one knows I come, the better. –

Letter No. 10. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 22-nd 1914
Ressin has been to me and we have settled to go to Luga to-morrow afternoon to my "Svietelka". It was a country house, given to Alexei which I took and arranged as a "dependance of my school of popular art," the girls work, make carpets there and teach the village women how to make them then they get their cows and poultry and vegetables, and will be taught housekeeping. Now they have arranged 20 beds and look after the wounded. - We have to take a short train, as the ordinary ones go slower and at inconvenient hours Ania, Nastinka and Ressin will accompany us three - nobody is to know anything about it. M-elle Schneider only knows A. and N. are coming, - otherwise she might just be away. - We shall take simple cabs and go in our nurses' dresses to attract less attention and as its a hospital we visit. –

Letter No.11. Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 23-rd 1914
Our expedition to Luga was most successful. When we arrived at the station we were met by old Mlle Sheremetiev (sister of Mme Timashev) who told me that there were two hospitals, and she thought I had come on purpose - I told her we should go there after the "Svietelka". We went off in three cabs, with the chief of police in front in a charming cart. The 3 hospital were very far from each other, but we enjoyed the primitive drive throu the streets and sandy roads into the pinewood - quite near the place where we took a walk then near a lake years ago ... Mlle Schneider got an awful shock when she saw us, as she never received Ania's telegram, and laughed nervously, excitedly the whole 20 M. we were there. 20 men lie in the little country house - they had been wounded near Suvalki end of Sept., but light wounds - they were evacuated from Grodno. They all came by the same train, 8o men on the whole, mostly regiments from the Caucasus. 0ne "Erivanetz" who had seen us at Livadia. - One Timashev daughter was in one hospital as nurse and a younger sister M-lle Sheremetiev at the head of another near the Artillery barracks. - Friede I suddenly discovered there. Many of the men were soon going off again to the army. They have a Kitchen at the station since 2 months and not one sanitary or military train has stopped there. On our way back we took tea. We knitted a lot and Ressin kept us company. –

Letter No. 13 Tsarskoe Selo October 25-th 1914
Wonder whether you will send for us anywhere, or whether we can get into Schulenburg's train, think he must return soon. –

Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914
Certainly we shall come with greatest pleasure & let Voyeikov arrange all & say exactly, when to meet you - perhaps we can stop on the way out & see some hospital at Dvinsk or so - I have sent for Ressin to talk all over. –







 



      

[Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914]

Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914
We shall then go off to Pskov tomorrow, sleep this night in the train, & be back to-morrow for dinner.

Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914
We are going to another hospital now directly. - I think, if its possible to stop perhaps at Dvinsk on the way to you, if there is time. R, is finding out about the hospitals (privately) - there we shall go as sisters -(our Friend likes us to) & to-morrow also. But being with you at Grodno we shall dress otherwise, not to make you shy driving with a nurse.

Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914
I think of bringing Ania & Iza & 0. Evg. & perhaps one maid for the 2 girls & me, & one for the ladies (to meet you) - the less people the better & to hang less on to your train afterwards. - Its best taking Ressin I think, as a military man. –

Letter No. 15 Tsarskoe Selo, Oct. 27-th 1914
Instead of Pskov, perhaps we might stop -with you still in some other town. –

Letter No. 16 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov.17th 1914
It will be a joy to go & meet you, tho' I hate leaving Baby & the girlies. And I shall be so shy on the journey - I have never been alone to any big town - I hope I shall do all properly & your wife wont make a mess of herself.

Letter No. 17. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 18-th 1914
The Governor calls me quickly. –

Letter No. 19 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914
Ania wants us to go off to Kovno, as we cannot menage the Sanitary train this time, to our regret, and Vojeikov's joy. But that means also Vilna. I cant pass without stopping there. The children like that idea, as hope to see our "friends" - she says there are heaps of wounded there.

Letter No. 19 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 20-th 1914
Am so tired and don't much care to go off now, and then here is much work and our Children, whom I must leave on the first. But perhaps it would be good to go there. Ania wants change and "Dr. Armia" as she always says.

Letter No. 20. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 21-St 1914
Its sad leaving the wee ones! -
Iza suddenly had 38 and pains in her inside, so Vladimir Nikolaievitch wont let her go. Fullspeed we telephoned to Nastinka to get ready and come. - -
We are taking parcels and letters from all the naval wives for Kovno.

Letter No. 21. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
I am glad we can manage it so quickly and wont be long away from the Children

Letter No. 22.   Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 23rd 1914, Sunday
My own beloved Darling,
We returned here safely at 9 1/4, found the little ones well and cheery. The girls have gone to Church –

[Letter No. 22. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 23rd 1914, Sunday]

Letter No. 22.   Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 23rd 1914, Sunday
Well, I shall try to begin from the beginning. - We left here at 9, sat talking till 10 and then got into our beds. Looked out at Pskov and saw a sanitary train standing - later one said we passed also my train, which reaches here to-day at 12 1/2. Arrived at Vilna at 10 l/4 - Governor and military, red cross officials at station, I cought sight of 2 sanitary trains, so at once went through them, quite nicely kept for simple ones - some very grave cases, but all cheery, came straight from battle. Looked at the feeding station and ambulatory. - From there in shut motors driven (I was just interrupted, Mitia Den came to say goodbye) to the Cathedral where the 3 Saints lie, then to the Image of the Virgin, (the climb nearly killed me) - a lovely face the Image has (a pitty one cannot kiss it). Then to the Polish Palace hospital - an immense hall with beds, and on the scene the worst cases and on the gallery above officers - heaps of air and cleanly kept. Everywhere in both towns one kindly carried me up the stairs which were very steep. Everywhere I gave Images and the girls too. - Then to the hospital of the red cross in the Girls gymnasium, where you found the nurses pretty - lots of wounded - Verevkin's both daughters as nurses. His wife could not show herself, as their little boy has a contagious illness; his aids wife replaced her. No acquaintances anywhere. The nurses sang the hymn, as we put on our cloaks; the Polish ladies do not kiss the hand. Then off to a small hospital for officers (where Malama and Ellis had layn before). There one officer told Ania he had seen me 20 years ago at Simferopol, had followed our carriage on a bicycle and I had reached him out an apple (I remember that episode very well) such a pitty he did not tell me - I remember his young face 20 years ago, so could not recognise him. From there back to the station we could not go to more, as the 2 sanitary trains had taken time. Valuyev wanted me to see their hospital in the woods, but it was too late. Artsimovitch turned up at the station thinking I would go to a hospital where sisters from his government were. I lunched and dined always on my bed. At Kovno the charming commandant of the fortress (no Governor counts there now, as it is the active front) and military authocraties, some officers, Shirinsky and Stchepotiev stood there too. The others had been just sent out to town expeditions, close to Thorn to blow up a bridge and the other place I forget, such a pitty to have missed them. Voronov, we passed at Vilna in the street. Again off in motors, flying along to the Cathedral (from Vilna we let know we were coming) - carpet on the stairs, trees in pots out, all electric lamps burning in the Cathedral, and the Bishop met us with a long speach. Short a Te Deum, kissed the miraculous Image of the Virgin and he gave me one of St. Peter and St. Paul, after whom the Church is named - he spoke touchingly of us "the sisters ers of mercy" and called wify a new name, "the mother of mercy". Then to the red cross, simple sisters, skyblue cotton dresses - the eldest sister, a lady just come there, spoke to me in English, had been a sister 10 years ago and seen me there, as my old friend Kirelev had asked me to receive her. Then to another little wing of the hospital in another street. Then to a big hospital about 300 in the bank looked so strange to see the wounded amongst such surrounding of a former bank. One lancer of mine was there. Then we went to the big military hospital, tiny service and wee speech. Lots of wounded and 2 rooms with Germans, talked to some. From there to the station, on the platform stood the companies (I had begged for them, I must confess), so difficult to recognise them, and not many acquaintances, you saw them. Simonin looked a dear. The boatswain of the "Peterhof" with the St. George's cross - all well, Shirinsky too looks well. The Commandant is such a nice simple kind, not fussy man. Begged me to send still 3000 Images or bibles. He blessed us when the train left, touching man - to be cheered by our sailors at a fortress-station, they dressed as soldiers, we as nurses, who would have thought that possible a few months ago. At Landvarovo we stopped and looked at the feeding station and barracks hospital at station and service in wee Church. Some heavy cases. The Livland committee - (Pss. Scheivertinskaya at the head, her property is close by), the daughter as nurse. - At 2 we stopped at a station, I discovered a sanitary train and out we flew, climbed into the boxcars. 12 men lying comfortably, drinking tea, by the light of a candle - saw all and gave Images - 400. An ill Priest too was there - "Zemsky" train, 2 sisters (not dressed as such) 2 brothers of mercy, 2 doctors and many sanitaries. I begged pardon for waking them up, they thanked us for coming, were delighted, cheery, smiling and eager faces. So we were an hour late and cought it up in the night, so that I was rocked to and fro, and feared we should capsize.

Letter No. 28. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 1st, 1914
The joy to meet will be intense, only the pain to leave the little Ones for a whole week is great - I cant get accustomed to separations - sweet Agooweeone. –

[Wartime Benefits and Fund Drives]

I forgot to add the theme Wartime Benefits and Fund Drives.  I will follow this with the theme German POW's, Spys, Letters and News from Germany, and Christmas.  Those posts will cover the Empress' 

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE WITH NICKY IN 1914
ARRANGED INTO THEMES

WARTIME BENEFITS AND FUND DRIVES

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
I do not wish Sukhomlinov harm, on the contrary, but his wife is really most mauvais genre & has made every body, the military especially, angry with her as she "put me in" with her collect on the 26-th. The day was alright & that singers wished to sing gratis in restaurants so as to get money for her store. And I allowed it. To my horror I saw the anouncement in the papers, that in all the restaurants & cabarets (of bad reputation)
d r i n k s would be sold for the profit of her branch store (my name in big letters) till 3 in the morning (now all restaurants are closed at 12) & that Tango & other dances would be danced for her profit, It made a shocking impression - you forbid (thank Heaven) wine - & I, so to speak, encourage it for the store, horrid & with right all are furious, the wounded too.,- And the ministers aides de camp were to collect money. There was no possibility any more to stop it - so we asked Obolensky to order the rest to be closed at 12 except the decent ones.

The fool harms her husband & breaks her neck. - She receives money & things in my name & gives it out in hers - she is a common woman, & vulgar soul, therefore such things happen, tho' she works hard & does much good - but she is harming him very much, as he is her blind slave - & all see this - I wish one could warn him to keep her in hand. When Rost. told them my displeasure, he was in despair, & asked whether she ought to close her store, so Rost. said of course not, that I know the good she does, only here acted most wrongly. - Enough of this, only I want you to know the story, as there were strong articals in the papers about it. - Therefore another collect for her now would make things worse. One wished my store to collect at Xmas, I declined the project, one cannot go on begging incessantly, its not pretty. –

Letter No. 27 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 28-th 1914
Lovy dear, I hope you wont be displeased at Fred.'s telegram to Voyeikov, we spoke it over by telephone, as he may not go out yet. You see its a national thing this exhibition with trophies of the war, & so its better the entry should be gratis - one can stand collection-boxes near the door, then it obliges nobody to pay.

The Empress gives us such a vivid picture of modern dances that Madame Sukhomlinov's Fund Raiser depended on to attract the interest of the "Smart Set" and some of the young and daring beau mode of St. Petersburg society, not to mention the use of intoxicating beverages as a draw.  More than likely the majority of participants came from the "Cafe Society" of St. Petersburg.  Non-the-less we do get this fascinating picture of the social modes of the capital.  I can't remember her name, but one of the great professional beauties of St. Petersburg was billed as the "Tango Queen" of Russia.  I will try and get the exact information on her and I am sure that she must have been employed in Madame Sukomlinov's War Benefit.   

My heart goes out to the Empress, with all of her other cares and concerns, to be dragged into such a scandal as this.  "...To my horror I saw the anouncement in the papers, that in all the restaurants & cabarets (of bad reputation)
d r i n k s would be sold for the profit of her branch store (my name in big letters) till 3 in the morning (now all restaurants are closed at 12) & that Tango & other dances would be danced for her profit, It made a shocking impression -"

The Tango was such a controversial dance that the Pope had spoke out against it and "the other dances" had to refer to what the historian Mark Sullivan refers to as: 

"'The spawn of the new dance that rag-time begot, called, generically, “animal dances,” included the fox-trot and the horse trot, the crab step and the kangaroo dip, the camel walk and the fish walk, the chicken scratch and the lame duck; the snake, and the grizzly bear; and – especially common, in both senses of the word – the turkey trot, which Elizabeth Marbury said, "deserved much of the abuse it got.'"  [ref: Mark Sullivan, "The War Begins, 1909-1914, p. 252]

Sullivan goes on to explain that to such individuals as the Empress:

“To such conservatives as had a feeling for the more formal type of music the rag-time syncopation was unpleasing enough, but the words thrown together to fit the syncopation were even more distasteful…

If the words were banal, the utterly revolutionary ragtime dances that came with the new music were no less than shocking…  [ref: Mark Sullivan, "The War Begins, 1909-1914, p. 251]
 
In 1913 the hit toon, "International Rag" documented the American invasion of Europe and even included a reference to Nicky.  Here are the lyrics of the song:

"What did you do America?  They're after you America!
You got excited and you started something,
Nations jumping all around;
You've got a lot to answer for, they lay the blame at your door,
The world is ragtime crazy from shore to shore.

London dropped its dignity, so has France and Germany,
All hands are dancing to a raggedy melody full of originality;
Dukes and Lords and Russian Czars, men who own their motor cars,
Throw up their sholders to the raggedy melody full of originality;
Italian opera singers have learned to snap their fingers,
The world goes round to the sound of the International Rag."

It has always been my contention that the American gramaphone record which was playing the pop rag-hit for 1916, "Yankee Doodle," in Felix Yusupov's palace the night Rasputin was murdered was intended to convey to Rasputin that a similar kind of "Smart Set" party was going on upstairs.  But be that as it may we do get a glimpse into the modes and manners of the faster elements of St. Petersburg society during the opening year of the War.     
   

 

Aloha once more!

Griffh -- may I thank you for this wonderful topic that you have created -- the amount of information you are giving us is just amazing and I wanted to thank you so very much for making it available to us -- I know that many of us are learning new things about Alix because of this!

You are a kind soul!   
 
Malama Pono,
Janet

["Daughters."]

Oh Janet how very kind of you to make such generous and lovely remarks.  Thank you for understanding my intentions.  I realized recently that my life long dream of publishing a triolgy on the Empress might never actually happen, so I felt that the next best thing I could do was to share my research on arrangement of the Empress' war-time correspondence into themes and share it openly with others that are seeking a clearer understanding of the Empress.  

Alix is such a "stream of consciousness" letter writer that it is often hard to fully appreciate all of the ideas that she shares in her characteristic "rapid fire" mode of writing.  I found that by separating out her thoughts into themes a real clarity appears and we get to know her better and understand what is motivating her.  

Thank you Janet and everyone for your patience as the Empress will not really start to actually defend herself in her letters until the persecution of her person beings in earnest in 1915.  To aid the process of understanding the complicated issues during that year, I have made an extensive chonology of events for both 1915 and 1916 so that we will be able to really compare specific accusations against the Empress that were being made by Allied Ambassador's or a family members, for instance, and compare them with the Empress' own rebuttal.  I have also integrated an on going conversation with Nicky and Alix over some of the more controversial political issues inorder to give a more balanced view of such highly charged topics.  What comes out is really amazingly different than most historic accounts of the supposed attitudes and perspectives of the Empress attributed to her by some authors.  

But I am getting ahead of myself.  However, I wish to say that already it is clear that the common notion that the Empress hit herself away in Tsarskoie Selo with her daughters and was rarely if ever seen in St. Petersburg is a ridiculous accusation that the correspondence of 1914, alone, destroys.  The Empress and her two older daughters were continually in St. Petersburg in 1914 to visit the Winter Palace workshops, Hospitals, Supreme Counil meetings, and Tatiana's Committee meetings.  I will expand on Tatiana's committe when I post the theme "Daughters."  But even if you only read the themes "Officers and Friends," "Her Trips," and "Hospital work," the picture of a woman constantly on the go and fully engaged in the war effort emerges, and all this before I post the theme, "Audiences, Dinners, Lucheons and Teas."  

Well to get back to my next posting I just wanted to add that the Empress got herself into such danger because of her concern about the abusive treatment the German POW's were recieving from the Russians.  As I said before it even backlashed on Ella and the first accusations that Ella was hiding Ernie in her Convent during the Moscow Riots in May 1915 were part of the fall out.  Well again, I must not get ahead of myself.      

I will also include the short theme German spys which documents her concerns about German spys in the Baltic Russian provinces and the theme Christimas, as among other things it documents her concerns over banishing Christmas trees, another concern of hers the will be used against her.  

Well before I get too carried away I had better post those themes.  Thank you again Janet for your very kind remarks.  Griff

[ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1914ARRANGED INTO THEMESGERMAN POW’S]

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1914

ARRANGED INTO THEMES

GERMAN POW’S

Letter No. 30 Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 14-th
You know before our arrival to Moscou, three military hospitals with German and Austrian wounded were cleared out to Kazan -, I read the description of a young gentleman (Russian) who took them - many half dying who died on the road and never should have been moved with fearful wounds, smelling poisonously, not having been bandaged for several days - and just during their Xmas being tortured like that in no lovely sanitary trains. From one hospital they were sent even without a Dr. to bring them, only sanitaries. –

Letter No. 30 Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 14-th
I have sent the letter to Ella to enquire into this [mistreatment of German prisoners] and make a good row, its hideous and to me utterly incomprehensible.

Letter No. 31. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 15-th 1914
Ella wrote in despair, trying to get to the bottom of the things about the trains and hospitals - she beleives the orders came from Petrograd. Often the orders from there are very cruel towards the wounded in the military hospitals. When she knows all, she will write to Alek. –

Letter No. 31. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 15-th 1914 
Make Feodorov go unexpected to small hospitals and poke his nose everywhere.

[ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE WITH NICKY IN 1914ARRANGED INTO THEMESCHRISTMAS]

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE WITH NICKY IN 1914

ARRANGED INTO THEMES

CHRISTMAS

No. 25 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 26-th 1914
Count Nirod is just coming to speak about the Xmaspresents for the troops

No. 25 Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 26-th 1914
Well, the Xmas presents cannot be got in time, so we shall do it for Easter - then 10 years ago for 300,000 it took from 3-4 months collecting and now its much more needed. -

Letter No. 29 Moscow, Dec. 12-th 1914
If you can, speak with Voyeikov and Benk about the Xmas-trees, for the wounded, and I shall to Viltchkovsky.

Letter No. 30 Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 14-th
One says the Sinod gave an order there should be no Xmas trees - I am going to find out the truth about it and then make a row, its no concern of theirs nor the Churches, and why take away a pleasure fr. the wounded and children, because it originally came from Germany - the narrowmindedness is too colossal.

Letter No. 31. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 15-th 1914
I have much to do thinking over Xmas-presents for the wounded and its difficult when one feels rotten. –

Letter No. 32. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 16-th 1914
had Viltchkovsky with a report, heaps of questions as he tells me everything of the evacuation committee of Y. C. wh. he is at the head of - then questions about Xmastrees.

[ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1914ARRANGED INTO THEMESLETTERS AND NEWS FROM GERMANY]

ALEXANDRA’S CORRESPONDENCE TO NICKY IN 1914

ARRANGED INTO THEMES

LETTERS AND NEWS FROM GERMANY

No. 7. Tsarskoe Selo, 24-th Sept. 1914
Fancy only I got a little letter from Gretchen without signature or beginning, written in English and sent from England and the address written in another handwriting - I cannot imagine how she got it sent. –

Letter No. 21. Tsarskoe Selo, Nov. 21-st 1914
One whispers that Joachim has been taken, by our troops - if so, where has he been sent to , I wonder. If true, one might have let Dona know, through Vicky of Sweden that he is safe and sound (not saying where) but you know better, its not for me to advise you, its only a mother pittying another mother. -

Letter No. 32. Tsarskoe Selo, Dec. 16-th 1914
Mavra sent you a letter of Onors to Vicky of Sweden, to give over her love to us & to say that Ernie came for quite short after 3 months, that he left again & is well. –