ON THIS DATE IN THEIR OWN WORDS: ANASTASIA ROMANOV. 12 APRIL, 1915.
1915 letter from Anastasia Romanov to Nicholas II:
12 April. My precious Papa!
We just finished dinner, and Shvybzik is getting terribly busy with Ortipo. This morning we went to church, as usual. Then had breakfast. Then Olga, Maria and Tatiana rode, the eldest steered themselves. Mama and Anya sat on the balcony. We then went to the local infirmary to [see] the wounded. There are more than a 100 of them there already, and one of Mama’s Crimeans was there, black like an agate. Then we also went to the Siberian regiment infirmary, there were 50 lower ranks. This morning it was raining, but later it got wonderfully sunny and kind of humid. At 5 o’clock we went to Anya’s, Shvedov, Zborovsky and Demenkov were there, it was very nice. We had tea in the dining room, and almost the entire time there played various games. Shvybzik was there of course. Viktor Erastovich thinks that Shvybzik would make a very good diver. The lake in front of the entrance, there is almost no ice [on it], so pleasant. Olga is playing the piano. So tiresome that [we have] lessons tomorrow. I would like to ride my bicycle tomorrow. I am so embarrassed that my thoughts are so scattered. The “Garden of Eden” was almost entirely under water. It’s so nice that you were able to visit everywhere, and the Peremyshel. Mama was terribly happy to get your telegram. Nagorny said that one cannot walk on the ice edges and that the ice is much softer but he could not break it, as he was taking a walk, I think. Mama is reading a letter from the soldiers, one of them is so awfully sweet, here it is: “To Her Imperial Majesty the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna. Dear Madame! Your Easter gifts transformed the soldiers! They were all filled with irrepressible fortitude and courage. Like the Saintly Apostles on the day when the Holy Spirit visited them [and] they spoke in foreign tongues, we too now express our joy though various events, only with subtle anticipation. Limitlessly loyal to Your Imperial Majesty, the front position warrior of the 183rd Infantry of Pultunsk Regiment, who is always ready to give response.” Sweet. Here is one more. I will rewrite it with the [original] mistakes. The letter from 1915, 5 April. “In the first line of my letter, I greet you my dear Mama your Imperial Majesty Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, regards from your little son Fedor Ivanovich I bow low to you and wish you good health from the Lord and from all us Christians wish you long life Received your package on 4 Apr. Received Fedor Ivanovich”. There. Probably they will bring Anya here again, as she has been here every day. I will now squeeze [juice] from an orange and then have a lesson.
I kiss you affectionately. Your faithful and loyal daughter.
Shvybzik ANRPKZS- Nastasia. May God keep you. Regards to Nikolai Pavlovich and others.
From the book MARIA and ANASTASIA: The Youngest Romanov Grand Duchesses In Their Own Words: Letters, Diaries, Postcards.
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