The Diary of Olga Romanov (6 page)

33
. Grand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovich, Nicholas's second cousin, known as KR.

34
. All temperatures are in degrees Celsius.

35
. Aleksei went to Stavka with his father.

36
. Olga was the chief of the Elizavetgrad Regiment.

37
. Irina Alexandrovna (1895–1970), daughter of Grand Duchess Ksenia.

38
. Admiral Nikolai Pavlovich Sablin, former commander in chief of the Russian army.

39
. Meaning from Nizhny Novgorod.

40
. Grand Duke Pavel Alexandrovich (1860–1919), Nicholas's uncle, brother of Tsar Alexander III, and father of Dmitri Pavlovich and Marie Pavlovna (the younger).

41
. Military imperial award for bravery in combat.

1915

A
s 1915 dawned, Russia entered the second year of World War I. The year began dramatically: on January 2 Anna Vyrubova was critically injured in a train crash, and Grigori Rasputin appeared to save her life, which reinforced the family's confidence in his healing abilities. Olga, Tatiana, and their mother continued working at the infirmary alongside the other Sisters of Mercy. Even on Sundays, holidays, and their own birthdays, the girls and their mother were busy tending to the soldiers, not shunning such mundane tasks as darning socks and pillowcases. Most of all Olga seemed to enjoy spending time with and getting to know the patients themselves—young wounded officers—and she did her best to make their physical and emotional pain more tolerable. It is clear from her diaries that she grew rather attached to some of the patients. Although Olga managed to have some occasional fun with her new infirmary friends, gone were her innocent and happy days aboard the family yacht. No longer would Olga get to swim in the Black Sea during vacations in Livadia, and never again would she attend another ball. Her new world now mostly revolved around Russia's war with Germany and Austria. This year proved disastrous for Russia's war involvement, with an inexperienced Nicholas II acting as direct commander of the army, leaving the ambitious but incapable Alexandra in charge of the government. Perhaps to hold on to some sense of stability, Olga continued some of her favorite “normal” pastimes, which included riding her bicycle, playing the piano and board games, and regularly attending church services.

Princess V. I. Gedroitz was a medical doctor at the imperial infirmary who worked closely with Olga, Tatiana, and
Alexandra. In her memoir, she wrote down heartfelt, if perhaps overly reverent, impressions of Olga and her mother and sister:

The first three months from the start of the war there were around three thousand [wounded] people in the Tsarskoe Selo region who were distributed among various infirmaries in Tsarskoe Selo….

The Tsaritsa of the Russian Land, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, thought of all, and felt and understood with her heart. She came to us with her August daughters Olga and Tatiana Nikolaevnas. Very simply, came to show us a great example of love, entering our ranks as simple pupils, then nurses, not demanding any special privileges, contributing to [their] work not dilatancy, but deep consideration, showing the example of respect to the existing rules, strict in our fortunate infirmaries. She came and told us: “Teach us, like everyone else,” and it was easy to teach [them] because “their hearts were burning” with spirited love to close ones, and they did not demand any special regard, or privilege, but learning…

They lived with us through the most wonderful, soul-shaking gamut of human suffering, did not avoid even one hardship…. Their hearts did not flee from anything! And when at the end of the training the August Sisters of Mercy were given exams along with everyone else, and our operating rooms were enriched with three knowledgeable surgical nurses, and Russia—with three hearts which were eternally tied to it by the chain of suffering, a chain which cannot be broken or forgotten.

Their high example was not singular; it destroyed the walls of etiquette, fortunes and ranks…Everyone went with the same passion, the same love, same words: “teach us like everyone else.”

—

Yr. 1915

Thursday. 1st January.

Holy God help us. Went to
obednya
. K.
¹
also. Ate all together. Walked with Al.[eksei] on the hill…T.[atiana], A.[nastasia] and Papa walked too. He received diplomats and the suite. Went to the Grand [Catherine] Palace. In the evening, not much. Mama feels tolerable all the time.

Friday. 2nd January.

Znamenie
, dressing changes. Darling Sh. was there. He was sad for some reason. Ended up at a concert at the Grand Palace. K. was there. After dinner ended up at our infirmary with Mama. There was a train crash. [Anya] was hurt very badly, poor thing, but is conscious. K. came by. Gr.[igori] Yef.[imovich] came over. [He] stayed all night, [illegible] with her [Anya]. Left after 12 o'cl. Papa was there.

Wednesday, 8th January.

Anya received the most darling letter from Iedegarov from Tiflis. “Znamenie.” Changed bandages for Sychev, Gumanuk, and Emelyanov, of 21st Sibirsky Shooters Regiment of Mama's, he is very sweet, left shoulder is fractured. In the Grand Palace, appendicitis. Uncle Boris and Ioann had breakfast. From 3 until 5 were there again with Mama. Papa came too. Anya feels better, she feels calmer. Stood with K. and others, talked, etc. At 7 o'clock Anastasia and I rode to the Grand Palace. Ioann had breakfast, I mean, had dinner. In the evening went to our [people/friends]. With Nurse Grekova cleaned instruments for tomorrow's
surgery. After 11 o'clock to bed. Save us, oh Lord. [Minus] 4 [degrees] of frost.

Monday. 2nd February.

Went to meet darling Papa. Saw [coded name].
²
Returned to the infirmary around 10 o'cl. Changed dressings…Sat with K. for a little while, and others. At 11 1/2 to the grotto church.
³
Mama also. During the day took a walk with her and Papa in the garden. Sat with Anya for a long time. She is better and [is] cheerful. After 11 to bed—so nice that Papa is home. At 10:30 to
obednya
, Maria and I with Papa. Aleksei later…. Later, Papa worked while we returned on a donkey and at 4 o'clock rode to the Grand Palace. Saw K. through a keyhole. [He] was hiding somewhere….

Monday. 9th February.

Prince Yusupov had breakfast. He [just] returned from abroad. During the day rode with Mama and [we] were endlessly photographed at the Grand Palace. After tea, rode with Isa.
⁴
Nice—wet snow…

Tuesday. 10th February.

At 3 o'clock went to Pavlovsk with Mama, Uncle Kostya [KR] is very ill. Sat with Tatiana,
⁵
later the children came over—Elena
⁶
was not there….

Saturday. 21st February.

At 9 1/2 went to
Znamenie
with Mama…Anya is better, thank God. Changed dressings…At 1 hr. 20 min. to the
city. I have a major committee [meeting]. Then went to pick up T. at Irina's and Felix's. Aunt Ksenia and Andrei
⁷
were there. Wonderfully sunny—but cold. The entire family went to
vsenoshnaya
. In the evening went to visit Anya. [name in code] [talked] with K. on the telephone. Papa was there too.

Friday. 27th February.

Our darling Yemelianov was transferred to Matveyevski infirmary, [I feel] so restless and sad…25 deg. in the evening. [text in code]
⁸

K. was there. Awfully difficult in general. Ate all together—during the day we 4
⁹
took a walk. Later to the Grand Palace with Mama and at 4 o'cl. to Anya's, [name in code] was there. In the evening
kolorito
¹⁰
with Mama. At 10 o'cl. she and Papa [went] to Anya's. 2 deg.

—

Letters from Olga to Nicholas II:

5 March.

My golden Papa!

I am writing to you while sitting on the floor of Mama's sitting room. She and Marie are playing
kolorito
—Tatiana is knitting a stocking, and the little one is already upstairs. We were in Petrograd today. I had the pleasure to preside over the big committee [meeting] for 2 hours. It was such fun…From there we went to Irina's for Tatiana. She and Aunt Ksenia were visiting there, while Felix [was] a “typical civilian,” wearing all brown, was walking around the room, digging
into various drawers with magazines and in essence doing nothing; he makes a rather unpleasant impression, such an idle man during such time. These days it is rather cold, but the sun is shining and it even warms up. It is really boring in the city with such weather. Oh, yesterday N. V. Plevitzkaya came to the charity committee—she is very appetizing looking. She wants to do her first concert in some theater in support of my committee. So lovely!

We were present during two surgeries today at the Big house, and during this time they were bringing out the body of Grabovoy and the music played “Kol' slaven,” this reminded me so much of the lowering of the flag on the yacht, and then the funeral march. In the city we met commander Zelenetsky, riding a coach [wearing] a simple overcoat, probably he was going to visit “The Bird” so he did not even notice us. Pass this on to Nikolai Pavlovich, he will probably be happy, and please send regards to him. Recently a blind
strannitza
¹¹
who has the light of the Lord's Tomb [
sic
]. Do you remember when we saw her in Peterhof? She is so cozy, she prays and reads out loud the longest passages by heart. Well, I will end now. May the Lord keep you, my dear Papa. I love you very very much and kiss you. Always Your loyal
Elisavetgradetz
.

5 April.

Papa, my darling dear!

So you ended up at Stavka. I hope that you will be able to escape from there soon. Such a shame that you weren't able to work on the ice today. The water was level with the little bridge, so it was really easy to drag the ice bits for us 4 and Nagorny. We kept on closing the barriers (were afraid that
the water will overflow)—and threw the pieces over two boards, so the flooding was rather successful, it even sprayed through the cracks in the rocks. Occasionally we took a rest on small stools, which we brought from home. Aleksei rode over in his motor with little Sergei and the handsome Aleksei, who never even came out [of the motor]—they are too afraid for them to catch cold etc.
Obednya
was successful in all aspects—the soldiers sang, very well, but in the end they got confused and started to sing
litia
, for which the
Batushka
was not ready at all, and instead of “Christ has Risen” they sang “Eternal Remembrance.”…Aleks. Konstant. was at the meeting…. We went to the infirmary in the morning…. During the day [we] went to the Grand Palace, but everyone was gathered there to hear a concert, so we were a little embarrassed and hurried to leave, and went to Marie's and Nastasia's infirmary. They were playing various games there with their patients. Had tea at Anya's with Kozhevnikov and Rodionov. Later Aleksei came over and we played “
dobchiski-bobchinski
” and “post office,” like in Kharaks
¹²
—remember? They are leaving on Tuesday.

Nastaska and Shvybzik
¹³
kiss you and are going to bed. Tatiana is sitting nearby and reading, while Mama is playing
kolorito
with Marie, Ortipo [Tatiana's pet dog] is sleeping by her feet. Right now it is exactly 5 of 9 o'clock. Well, I will be ending now. May Lord keep you, my golden Papa. I love you so much and kiss you.
Your Elisavetgradetz. Send regards to Nikolai Pavlovich.

11 April.

Papa, my jewel! So good that you were able to go to all these places. It must have been so interesting. All is the same with
us. The weather is average—sunny, then rained, or rather drizzled. Today the wife of Your Erivanetz Purtzeladze stopped by Sonya Orbeliani's
¹⁴
with her son—Andrusha—a charming boy with large gray eyes and golden hair. He is 2 years old. His father is a prisoner of war in Shtralzunde, he wrote to his wife a few times, but of course was not able to tell her much…. Right now there is a big commotion. Ortipo is scampering around the room, while the little Shvybzik is squealing. Mama and Marie are playing
kolorito
as usual, and take turns winning. Anya tends to show up at Mama's daily, around 12 o'clock. Zhuk, the nurse's aide of the reserve regiment, pushes her in a wheelchair and assists her on crutches. We haven't been [working] on ice for a while. In the last few days we rode around in various
charabancs
¹⁵
and navigated them ourselves. This is not a bad activity, especially during nice weather. We went to
vsenoshnaya
and it was lights out until 8 o'clock—very pleasant…. Viktor Erastovich and Demenkov [came] to tea. Marie of course is as happy as a pug.
¹⁶
Mama received an awfully nice telegram from the Georgian regiment. They were all so happy and touched by your regard….

After the dressings we went to the Big house for surgeries.
Today they cut the little
zhid
¹⁷
Mazik, who screamed before
they even touched him, intending to go to sleep.
Well, I think this is all the news.
May the Lord keep you, Papa my darling.
I love you very much and kiss you.
Your Elisavetgradetz.
Regards to Nikolai Pavlovich and congratulate him on the
16th [his birthday].