The Diary of Olga Romanov (19 page)

We had tea and finally at 5 o'cl. Kerensky appeared and said that we can go now. We climbed into two motors and went to the Alexander station. Climbed into the train at the crossing. Some kind of a cavalry team rode astride near us, all the way from the park. We were met by: I. Tatishev and two commissars from the government in order to escort us to Tobolsk.

The sunrise was beautiful, at which point we started the trip towards Petrograd and via connecting path came out onto the Northern line. Departed T.[arskoe] S.[elo] at 6.10 in the morning.

—

From the memoirs of Anna Vyrubova:

A few days before their departure to Siberia, I got a short letter from the Empress and a box of my gold jewelry that she saved during my arrest….

After their departure to Siberia, the little parlor maid once again visited me. She described how Kerensky arranged their trip and spent hours at the palace. How difficult it was for Their Majesties. He commanded that they all be ready to leave at midnight.

The Imperial captives sat in the circular hall from 12 o'clock until 6 in the morning, dressed in traveling clothes. At 5 o'clock in morning one of the loyal lackeys was not afraid to bring them tea, which perked them up a little. Aleksei Nikolaevich was feeling faint. They departed from the palace with dignity, completely calm, as if they were leaving for their holiday at the Crimea or Finland. Even the revolutionary newspapers could not find fault with anything.

—

EXILE

—

From the diary of Nicholas II:

1st August.

Arranged ourselves in a nice sleeping car in the International Society [train]. Went to bed at 7.45 and slept until 9.15 o'cl. It was very stuffy and dusty; 26° in the car. Took a walk during the day with our marksmen, picked flowers and berries. [We] eat in the train restaurant, the kitchen feeds us very well, Eastern-Chinese food and etc.

2nd August.

Took a walk before Vyatka, same weather and dust. By commandant's request had to close window shades at all stations; tiresome and foolish!

3rd August.

Passed Perm at 4 o'cl. and walked in the Kungur suburbs along the Sylva river, in a very beautiful valley.

4th August.

Having passed the Urals, felt a significant coolness. Passed Ekaterinburg very early in the morning. All these days the second train with marksmen would catch up to us—we greeted [each other] like old acquaintances.

Rode incredibly slowly, in order to arrive in Tyumen late, at 11 1/2 o'cl. There, the train arrived almost next to the wharf, so we only had to walk down to the ship. Ours is called
Rus
. They started to load our things, which continued through the night. Poor Aleksei went to bed God knows when again! Banging and pounding lasted all night and did not let me sleep. Departed from Tyumen around 6 o'cl.

5th August.

Cruising down the river Tur. Slept a lot. Alix, Aleksei and I each have a cabin with no facilities, all the daughters are together in a five-bed [cabin], the suite is close by in the hallway; farther towards the bow is a nice cafeteria and a small cabin with a piano. The second class is under us, and all the marksmen of the 1st regiment who were on the train with us are downstairs in the back. Walked around upstairs [deck] all day, enjoying the air. The weather was overcast, but quiet and warm. In front of us is a ship and behind is another ship with the marksmen of the 2nd and 4th regiments and with the rest of the luggage. Stopped twice to load firewood. At night it got cold. Our kitchen is right here on the ship. Everyone went to bed early.

6th August.

Cruising down the Tobol [river]. Got up late, as I slept badly due to the general noise, whistles, stops, etc. During the night, entered Tobol from Tur. The river is wider, and the shore is higher. The morning was cool, and during the day it got really warm when the sun came out.

Forgot to mention that yesterday before dinner we passed by Pokrovskoye village,—Grigori's hometown.
²¹
Walked and sat all day on the deck. At 6 1/2 arrived in Tobolsk, although saw it an hour and 1/4 earlier.

There was a big crowd gathered on the shore,—this means that they know about our arrival. I remembered the view of the cathedral and the house on the mountain. As soon as the ship docked, they started to unload the luggage. Valya, the commissar and the commandant went off to look over the houses appointed for us and our suite. When they returned we found out that the buildings are empty, without any furniture, dirty and we cannot move in. Therefore [we stayed] on the ship and started waiting for them to bring back the luggage needed for sleeping.

Had supper, joked about the incredible incompetency of these people who cannot even arrange a dwelling and went to bed early.

7th August. Monday.

Slept very well; woke up to rain and cold. Decided to remain on the ship. Some storms passed, but the weather got better by one o'clock. The crowd was still standing at the docks, their feet in the water, and [they] only ran to shelter when it rained. In both houses they are hastily cleaning and getting the rooms into presentable shape. All of us, including the marksmen, wanted to go somewhere farther down the river. Had breakfast at one, dinner at 8 o'cl., the kitchen staff is already cooking in the house, and someone brings our food from there. Walked around our cabins with the children all evening. The weather was cold due to N-W wind.

8th August. Tuesday.

Slept very well and got up at 9 o'cl. The morning was bright, later got windy, and again got hit with several storms. After breakfast went up the river Irtysh, about 10
versts
. Docked on the right shore and went out to walk. Walked by some hedges and having crossed the creek, we went up a high bank from where a beautiful view opened up.

The ship came to pick us up and we headed back to Tobolsk. Arrived at 6 o'cl., [docked] at a different wharf. Took a bath before dinner, for the first time since July 31st. Thanks to that [I] slept wonderfully.

9th August. Wednesday.

The weather still wonderfully warm. The suite spent the morning in town as usual. Maria had fever, Aleksei had some pains in his left arm.

Before breakfast I remained upstairs the whole time, enjoying the sun. At 2 1/2 our ship moved to the other side and they started loading coal, while we went for a walk. Joy [Aleksei's pet spaniel] was bitten by a snake.

It was too hot to walk. Came back to the ship at 4 1/2 and returned to the old spot. The residents were boating and passed by us. The marksmen from our convoy
Kormiletz
moved into their town residences.

10th August. Thursday.

Woke up to rotten weather—rainy and windy. Maria was in bed with fever, and Aleksei got an earache in addition to pains in the arm!

The day was most boring, without a walk or anything to do. At 5 o'cl. the weather got better.

11th August. Friday.

Aleksei slept very little, he moved to Alix's room for the
night. His ear got better, the arm still hurts a bit. Maria is better. The day was calm.

Walked around upstairs all morning. During the day went up the river Tobol. Docked at the left bank, walked down the road and returned along the river with all sorts of difficulties, of the amusing sort. At 6 o'cl. arrived in Tobolsk and with a loud crack approached the ship
Tovarpar
, breaking our side plating on it. During the day it was really hot.

12th August. Saturday.

Again an excellent day without sun, but very warm. In the morning walked around the deck and read there too until breakfast. Maria and Aleksei got up and went outside for fresh air during the day. At 3 o'clock went down Irtysh and docked at the base of a high bank, which we have wanted to get to. Immediately climbed up there with the marksmen and then sat for a long time on a plain low stool, a wonderful view.

13th August. Sunday.

Got up early, and packed our last things immediately. At 10 1/2, I and the children went down to the shore with the commandant and the officers and walked to our new residence. Looked around the entire house, from the top to the attic. Occupied the second floor, the dining room is downstairs. At 12 o'cl. [had a]
moleben
service, and the priest baptized all the rooms with holy water. Had breakfast and dinner with our people. Went to see the house where the suite will be staying. Many rooms are still not ready and look unattractive.

Then went to the so-called garden—terrible kitchen garden, looked over the kitchen and the guard room. Everything looks old and dilapidated. Unpacked my things in the study and bathroom, which is half mine and half Aleksei's. Spent the evening together, played bezique with Nastenka.

14th August. Monday.

After yesterday's rainstorm, the weather was cold and rainy before dinner, with a strong wind. Organized photographs from 1890/1891 sailing trips all day. I purposely brought them with us, in order to organize them at leisure. Said goodbye to Makarov—the commissar who was leaving for Moscow. Took a walk in the little garden, the children played on the new swings. Spent the evening with everyone.

15th August. Tuesday.

Since they do not let us go outside and we cannot get to church right now, at 11 o'cl. there was an
obednitza
²²
service in the hall. After breakfast spent almost two hours in the garden, Alix too. The weather was warm, and around 5 o'cl. the sun came out; sat on the balcony until 6 1/2 o'cl. Continued organizing photographs from the distant seafaring days.

16th August. Wednesday.

An excellent warm day. Now I have tea with all the children every morning. Spent an hour's worth of time in the so-called garden and most of the day on the balcony, was warmed by the sun all day. Before tea, puttered around in the little garden, two hours on the swings and with the bonfire.

17th August. Thursday.

Magnificent day; 19° in the shade, 36° on the balcony. Aleksei had pains in his arm. Spent an hour in the morning in the garden, and during the day—two hours. Yesterday started to read “L'ile enchantee.” In the evening played dominos: Alix, Tatiana, Botkin and I. At teatime there was a big rainstorm. Moonlit night.

18th August. Friday.

The morning was gray and cold, the sun came out around one, and the day became really nice. In the morning, Rita Khitrovo, who came from Petrograd, appeared in the street, and went to see Nastenka Hendr.[ikova]. This was sufficient for them to search her home in the evening. Devil knows what this is!

19th August. Saturday.

Due to yesterday's incident, Nastenka is no longer allowed to walk in the streets for a few days, and poor Rita Khitrovo has to go back on the evening ship!

The weather stayed lovely with hot sun. Sat in the garden for an hour in the morning, and during the day—two hours. Set up a hanging bar for myself there. Started the book:
The Scarlet Pimpernel
.

20th August. Sunday.

Ideal weather: during the day the temp. reaches 21° in the shade. At 11 o'cl.
obednitza
service in the hall. Found work for myself in the garden: cutting down a dry pine tree. After tea, as usual these days, read with the daughters on the balcony under the hot rays of sun. The evening was warm and moonlit.

23rd August. Wednesday.

Today is two years since I arrived in Mogilev. So much water under the bridge since then!

The day stayed magnificent: 23° in the shade, and passed as usual in Tobolsk. Dug up the greenhouse soil in the garden with Kirpichnikov. A warm rain passed.

1st September.

Pankratov, the new Provis. Gov. commissar arrived and settled
in the suite house with his assistant, some unkempt-looking ensign. He has the look of a laborer or an impoverished teacher. He will act as the censor of our mail. The day was cold and rainy.

6th September. Wednesday.

The same kind of a day, and we spent it the same way. Dug up a small duck pond in the garden. The daughters played bumble puppy [tether ball].

7th September. Thursday.

The morning was cloudy and windy, later the weather improved. [We] were outside a lot; filled up the duck pond and sawed up some firewood for our baths.

8th September. Friday.

For the first time went to Blagovesheniye Church, where our priest has been serving for a while now. But my joy was ruined by the foolish incident during our procession over there. Along the path of the town gardens stood the marksmen, and by the church was a huge crowd! This deeply disturbed me. The weather was nice, a little cool.

12th September. Tuesday.

Warm gray day. During the day sawed firewood and the daughters played with tennis balls on the wooden sidewalk.

13th September. Wednesday.

It rained for a half a day but was warm. Finished the book “Na gorakh” [On the Mountains] and started Leskov's novel
Oboydenniye
[The Circumvented]. At 9 o'cl. in the evening there was a
vsenoshnaya
service in our hall. Went to bed early.

14th September. Thursday.

In order to escape the crowds of people in the street by the church, we ordered
obednya
at 8 o'cl. Everything turned out well, the marksmen were arranged along the fence of the town gardens. The weather was bad—cold and damp: but we still got to take a short walk. They allowed Kolya Derevenko to visit Aleksei.

Began in Tobolsk 17th September. Sunday.

Wonderful warm day. 13° in the shade. After
obednitza
took a walk and stayed outside for a long time during the day. Olga stayed in bed with light fever. [General] Tatishev is not completely healthy either.

18th September. Monday. 1917.

The autumn this year is wonderful here: today it was 15° in the shade and completely southern warm air. During the day played
gorodki
[a game] with Valya D.[olgoruky], which I have not done in many, many years. Olga's illness has passed: she sat with Alix on the balcony for a long time. Finished Leskov's “Ostrovityani” [The Islanders]. Wrote a letter to mama under Pankratov's
²³
censorship.