Telegram.

Sarykamysh Railway. 1 December, 1914

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

Nicky.

Telegram. Kars. 1 December, 1914

Have spent an ever-memorable day. I drove from Saryim kamysh in a car to Medginghert. right on the frontier.

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

Nicky.

Telegram.

Kiurdamir. 2 December, 1914.

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

Telegram.

Derbent. 3 December, 1914.

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

Nicky.

Telegram.

Novocherkask. No date.

Many thanks for last letter. I am glad to be on the Don. Am very pleased with the reception. Have been to see many hospitals. Am leaving at 7 o'clock in the evening. I am very happy to meet you tomorrow. Tenderly embrace you and the children.

Nicky.

Telegram.

Novoborissov. 13 December, 1914.

Saw to-day an echelon of recovered wounded, who are returning to the army. It is clear; 4 degrees of frost, without snow. Thanks for letters. Embrace all tenderly.

Nicky.

Telegram.

Stavka. 14 December, 1914.

Thanks for telegram. There is no news to-day, as it is quiet along almost the whole front. I have had a long walk. I have felt tired ever since leaving Moscow. Good night. Sleep well. Warm kisses.

Nicky.

Telegram.

Stavka. 15 December. 1914

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

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

Telegram.

Stavka. 16 December, 1914.

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

Nicky.

NOTES: ORLOV: A. A. Orlov, an officer in the Life-Guard Hussars. BOUTAROV: probably A. I. Butakov, a senior lieutenant in the Gvardeisky Equipage, who "died on duty."

Telegram.

Stavka. 16 December, 1914.

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

Nicky.

Telegram.

Garvolin. 17 December. 1914.

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

Nicky.

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

Telegram.

Sedletz. 17 December. 1914.

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

Nicky.

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

Telegram.

Stolbtzy. Al. Rly. 18 December, 1914.

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

Telegram.

Novosokolnikovo Rly. 19 December, 1914.

N. P. has received your telegrams, but has not received A.'s letters. The weather is warm. Am glad to return.

Embrace you closely. Nicky.