While Marie was at Krasnoie-Selo and awaiting on the arrival of the French President Poincaré, she learned of the assassination at Sarajevo. This was the day of the Officers’ Races and the Emperor and his family was in attendance. The news spread quickly, an iciness in the air evolved, and all grew quiet in the crowds.
When arriving at Marie’s Aunt’s, Grand Duchess of Russia, home, usually there were many quests. With the turn of events, the guests left fairly quickly.
Marie spoke of the weather being warm, the nearby park was “dusty and lifeless.” (Page 161) At her father’s home, she continued to feel the unusual feeling of unrest.
Marie had watched Dmitri prepare for the “possible campaign.” (Page 161) She felt like a mother’s love towards her brother. There was a seriousness in her brother’s attitude. It was about the task ahead versus “bravado.” (Page 161)
During this short time when both Dmitri and Marie were able to spend time together, there seemed a simpleness and childlike communication between them. They really appreciated the time to be together and enjoy their special sister-brother relationship.
On August 2, Dmitri and Marie drove to the Winter Palace where the declaration of war was being made by the Emperor. She was admiring Dmitri in his regiment uniform. Marie had worn a festive light gown. Marie observed the people taking in the “solemness” and “significance of events.” (Page 162) The Imperial family would proceed to the palace, led by the Emperor and Empress, to Nicholas Hall to chant a Te Deum. While chanting, Marie noticed the assembly of individuals were dressed in festive clothing, their expressions were “strained and grave.” (Page 162) The ladies wore hats, gloves, and carried handkerchiefs in a crumpled fashion, and had tears in their red eyes. The men were shifting their feet, adjusting their swords, and touching their decorative pins on the chest of their clothing. Following the service and the reading of the manifesto, the Emperor and Empress went on the balcony where 1000s of people were in the audience. The audience began singing in harmony and there was a powerful sound projection of the Russian national hymn. Once the crowds quieted, the Emperor and Empress stepped back in the Palace. Then, the crowds began cheering, “God save the Tsar.” (Page 163) There was a strong sense of patriotism in the air. In July, while the factories seem to be disorganized, there was a move to political workers and enrollments into the military and auxiliary organizations. Now the arguments over differences, seemed to have dissipated and there was growing unity toward national interest.
The night before the departure of the Horse Guards, she observed these young men in the Cathedral, arm to arm, in prayer. Marie had felt for them the dread and pain of what may await these men, as war was becoming more a part of their country. On August 4, which was departure day, Marie and Dmitri took communion in a private, small, windowless, dark chapel in the old palace on the Neva. The chapel was lit by oil lamps which reflected light on the ikons and tall candlesticks. Breakfast followed this chapel visit and was received in deceased Uncle Serge’s study which was had become a drawing room since his passing. Dmitri was hugging his Eskimo dog while sitting on the couch. Then it was time to go.
Dmitri and Marie sat next to each other in one of the carriages. The household came together to see them off. Even the coachmen who had taught Dmitri and Marie how to drive as children, were in tears. They went to the Horse Guards barracks where seemed much “confusion,” as there was an impactful emotion showing from the men, officers, and packhorses. (Page 164) Here for Marie was where the separation from her brother began. Dmitri had let Marie know that her carriage would go alongside his regiment to the railway station across the city. At the station, the men were “packed into trucks.” (Page 164) The officer’s wives and Marie stood to the side and watched as all the preparation activity was taking place. Marie observed that the women were holding back their tears and the men were showing their “tenderness” toward them. (Page 164) Marie was thinking that “this may be the last time I shall ever see him.” (Page 164) The trumpeter blew to signal time for departure. The last exchanges of “embraces, kisses, blessings” took place, then, the trumpeter sounded another signal. (Page165) The train began to depart.
Marie went back to Tsarkoie-Selo and now she began to assess her own future. She had felt “lonely” and more aware of her “position.” (Page 165) Marie looked forward to going back to Russia yet she realized that there would be much talk of her divorce and potential difficulties as a “young divorced woman.” (Page 165) She also saw that her “childhood” “ceased to exist.” (Page 165) “Neither home, family life, nor former friends (were) nothing but painful memories.” (Page 165) Aunt Ella, an Abbess, was completely focused on her work with the convent, Convent of Martha and Mary. Marie really did not know anyone and her father was busy with his wife organizing their new life in Russia. “They had no time for me.” (Page 165)
Marie’s epiphany was to become a nurse and going to war and be of assistance to Russia. First she needed to receive the approval of the Empress. Marie was off to Peterhof where the Empress granted her request. Marie moved to St. Petersburg and began her training. (Page 165) Marie began with “practical work” at one of the city hospitals in the mornings. In the evenings, Marie would attend lectures of physicians. She received individualized attention as she was the only one in this hospitals’s program at that time, which accelerated her learning and preparation.
Princess Helen, the sister of the Serbian King Alexander, was developing plans for a field hospital. The Princess and her husband planned to handle the upkeep, and offered Marie to go to the front with this unit. Helen’s husband, as was Marie’s brother, was in the Horse Guards. They would be connected with the assigned Horse Guard regiment.
Within a few days, Marie observed from the telegrams that the Guards calvary was in East Prussia and were “in action.” (Page 166) Marie felt intenseness of fear for her brother, Dmitri. then, Marie received a telegram from Dmitri who had shared some of the war horrors from the battle of Kaushin where half of the Horse Guards were dead. The next day, two of Dmitri’s comrades were wounded or killed. The two brothers Katkov, were slain. These two brothers had been of the few children that Dmitri and Marie could play with as children. Marie had gone to the hospital in St. Petersburg where Dmitri’s comrades had gone, so she could learn more about Dmitri.
On August 29, Marie took her final exams, her doctors approved of her going, and her unit departure date was set. Marie appreciated that her long ago “nervousness” concern and symptoms were no longer. Mlle. Hélène was proud of Marie achieving and receiving her certification. Marie was now able to wear the Red Cross on her apron bib. Aunt Ella came to say good-bye to Marie. Marie was receiving much more attention from her Aunt, as her Aunt was aware Marie may loose her life.
Marie was looking as this decision as an opportunity. Marie explained. “I felt, in fact, that I was gaining, at last, an opportunity to apply myself usefully, to find work for which I was really fitted and which I needed, to direct all my energies to one central purpose. Life beckoned to me and I could not pity myself.” (Page 167)
Her packing was simplistic. Her list of items included: “a few grey uniforms, white kerchiefs which we wore as head-dress, aprons, white hospital smocks, cotton underwear and cotton stockings - all packed in one suitcase.” Other items included “an army cot, a rubber tub, and a few small rubber wash basins completed my field kit.” (Page 167)
Upon Aunt Ella’s arrival, she brought Marie to the chapel within the “little house of Peter the Great.” There were many “ikons of the Saviour.” (Page 167) When exiting the building, there were many who gathered on the street and greeted them with tears. Many were touching Marie’s clothes, and kissed Marie’s hands. They were in awe of this decision. “Oh! Our dear one, you are too going to war. God bless you! said an old crone, sobbing. Others joined in and showered us with tears and good wishes.” (Page 167-168) “Thank you! … You are going to take care of our soldiers … God help you! … God save and guard you … May God give us strength to overcome the enemy! …” Marie wrote that “one poor old woman kept asking my aunt please, please, to find out something about her son.” (Page 168) Marie felt stirred by those who came to greet her. That evening, Aunt Ella, the Grand Duchess Marie, and Velodia Paley her stepbrother, all went to the station to be with Marie as she departed.
Marie’s unit included, 8 nurses, 2 doctors, a superintendent, a Red Cross representative, 20 orderlies. Also there was Marie, Princess Helen, and Mme. Sergeieva who was appointed as Marie’s lady-in-waiting. For the Empress’s approval, Marie was required to have a lady-in waiting.
The train carried hospital material, a range of equipment for field operations, ambulance, wagons, field kitchens, caldrons, horses, tents. Helen was bringing her own automobile.
Aunt Ella formed a large cross over Marie with her hand and fingers, along with tears in her eyes. Then boarding the train began. Looking from the train window there many tears on those on the platform. Marie’s first night on the train, she dressed without a maid. Helen and Marie shared a compartment on the train. Life had changed so much for Marie and she dreamt with images of “heroic deeds.” (Page 169)
They arrived at Eydtkuhnen and the men unloaded the equipment. The town was “in great disorder” as Marie observed while she and the nurses were wandering around the town.(Page 169) They arrived at the headquarters of which the commander was General Rennekampf and learned that there were no orders for the nurses. The Horse Guards had moved “far into East Prussia” and it was unclear if their troops were in Insterburg. (Page 169)
Gumbinnen was located midway between Eydtkuhnen and Insterburg. The nurses were advised to proceed to Gumbinnen, the war front. There was many blood-stained soldiers, lots of smoke from the field kitchens, and many carts piled together. The mixed aroma was of horses and hay, fresh baked bread, trample grass, and smoke. The families had left town quickly leaving much of their personal and home goods piled on carts and haphazardly on the streets where hay and straw had been scattered. The soldiers would assess and Marie had found a new coffee pot which Marie used much thereafter.
Once the soldiers completed the equipment unloading, Marie, Helen, and Mme. Sergeieva drove the automobile to Gumbinnen, as the unit was under an order to march. There, at Gumbinnen the residents appeared to be in a sad emotional state. While Marie wanted to reach-out to be of some assistance, Helen brought Marie in her car to determine the hospital location in Gumbinnen. There were many war scenes of death, destruction, ground with shell holes, from a recent battle area. While the bodies had been removed, there were signs of previous encampment and remains of what was used or with those in the direct fighting.
“Neither trenches nor barbed wire were anywhere to be seen. The advance undertaken in order to draw the German armies away from the Western front, at a time when they already flooded Belgium and were ready to march on Paris - had to this extent been altogether successful; it had taken the enemy by surprise. They had not expected the Russian mobilization to go through with such speed and in such order. Our hurried advance had allowed, however, no time for fortifications and had left out rear defenseless.” (Page 170)
There was much chaos in Gumbinnen. Helen wanted to inspect the homes, despite the headquarters may have moved to Intersburg. Marie wrote her reaction. “Never shall I forget that town. Outwardly, few buildings had suffered; at first glance, the neat German brick houses seemed clean and untouched. But inside, all was different. There was not an apartment which had not been ransacked. Doors were sagging open, locks had been forced, cupboards stood gaping, clothing was scattered all over the floor, crockery and mirrors lay smashed, furniture had been overturned and pierced with bayonets. The inhabitant, not expecting the arrival of the Russians, had fled, leaving all their property behind.” (Page 170-171) The alarm must have taken place around dinnertime, as all the homes’ tables had been set and there was cold and dry food on the plates. This experience seemed so deathlike for Marie.
Dmitri and Helen’s husband learned of Helen’s and Marie’s location and came by automobile to Gumbinnen. Dimtri had experienced terrible aspects of war and was concerned for Marie being so close to the war. He spoke of the headquarters being in Insterburg though “the situation was very uncertain.” (Page 171)
In Insterburg, the largest building was a school and the unit was moved there. There really was not much of living space and “was gloomy.” (Page 171) Once the “wagon train” came to them, it was quickly unloaded and a “real hospital” evolved and was ready. (Page 171) The nurses took on the task of cleaning the building inside to make it ready to function as a hospital. On the first floor, there were smaller rooms and packing boxes were used as chairs. Marie roomed with Mme. Seregeieva. The rooms had “a stone floor and grey, shiny walls.” (Page 171) Their only furniture were cots, suitcases, and some boxes. “We washed in the school lavatory in the basement.” (Page 172)
The closer to the front, the less they knew. “We had no idea of the instabilty of our situation. The army of Rennekampf was scattered, its positions were not fortified, its rear was undefended. Some of our troops were already before Königsberg and the Germans, occupied on other fronts, seemed unprepared to make a firm stand or to counter-attack.” (Page 172)
During the first few days, Insterburg seemed quiet and there were sometimes some cannon sounds from a distance. The infantry would march by singing through the town. “Squadrons of calvary, automobiles, wagon trains, passed continually towards the guns.” (Page 172)
Dmitri was in Insterburg as a liaison officer and located in Rennenkampf’s headquarters. He would come frequently to the hospital with a Great Dane he had acquired through his travels; the animal had followed him during his marches through cities and stayed with him. Helen and Marie were invited to lunch at the headquarters and her spirit was “uplifted.” (Page 172) Marie observed the headquarters had many provisions and supplies, of equipment and munitions. All seemed to be in good spirits. “Our mutual relations were marked with that special cordiality which result from the realization of one’s strength, and of comparatively light sacrifices in the name of duty. It was, if I may, so express it, the honeymoon of the war.” (Page 172) “Here all lived the same life and had the same interests.” (Page 172)
When a soldier came up to ask his need to bandage his hand, Marie began to help him and change the bandage. Behind Marie, an unrecognizable voice had spoken, “Your Imperial Highness, may I take your picture?” (Page 173) She politely replied no. Marie continued in bandaging the soldier’s hand. Once the bandaging was complete, the soldier looks up into Marie’s eyes. He had tears in his eyes. This man bent his knee in a kneeling fashion to kiss her dress with his lips. She was taken back by his surprising action. It took her some time to recover.
In another surprising experience, a farm cart with several officers as escorts were passing along the street. She recognized the shoulder strap on the officers to be of the Kiev Grenadier regiment which had been stationed in Moscow. Marie’s Uncle Serge (who had passed earlier) was an honor Colonel for this regiment. The soldiers recognized Marie. A carriage had stopped when recognizing Marie. “Is it really true that you are at the front, Your Highness?" How wonderful this is. Now we shall fight with greater joy, knowing that you have come to take care of us.” (Page 174) Marie sensed their sincerity and recognized “the dangers, hardships, and changing luck of war were shared by a member of the Imperial family had real significance. We were suddenly equals in the face of the trials which had befallen our fatherland.” (Page 174)
Marie and another nurse drove onto a farm. Marie left the automobile and looked for the farmer who was out in the orchard. She was able to shake the tree with the other nurse to have apples fall into a bag. One of the soldiers had been kind to watch their horse while the 2 women harvested a bag of apples. When the 2 women returned to their horse, one of the soldiers looked like he wanted to speak, yet he seemed to retract. Then he spoke.
“I know you! You are Grand Duchess Marie from Moscow. I recognized you at once, only I did not trust myself because you are dressed as a nurse.” (Page 175) He spoke to Marie advising her to not drive with another nurse as it was unwise in this environment of being close to enemy lines. He being a soldier escorted her back himself. He was respectful and of good nature, while having a sense of some familiarity.
As Helen was older in age than Marie and Helen was more experienced, Helen would head the unit. Marie began to adjust to her new duties in her unit. The Russian advancement had stopped, though not for the Germans. Enemy airplanes would fly over Insterburg with long intervals with increased frequency. The Russians had few anti-aircraft guns and these planes were flying low to put fear into the soldiers and horses.
One night, a supply train arrived and 2 stretchers emerged. She was on call reading a book. For one man, the low flying plane frightened this man’s horse, the man fell off the wagon, and the wagon wheel rolled over his chest. Marie had sent for the doctor and requested camphor and a needle from the bandage room. He was coughing up blood as he was having difficulty breathing lying flat. Marie raised his chest and upper body up some which allowed the man to relax and he passed in her arms. The doctor arrived but the man had passed. Marie was internally upset over that experience for a time. As she wrote and thought, “It was the first time that I had ever looked upon death face to face.” (Page 177)
Marie had a situation with one patient who was being really difficult. He was a younger man and wanted to be waited on - from washing to spending time with her for tea. He had stated he was bored and was rather insolent to her as a nurse. Marie spoke to him politely and then requested that an orderly attend to him from now on. Later he discovered through others that who this nurse was and after that he became terribly embarrassed. He would face the wall in his bed and could not look at anyone. Once he was able to walk out, in a lower toned voice, he apologized to Marie for his behavior.
Marie spoke of her work as “hard and all-absorbing.” (Page 179) Always there was suffering and the soldiers were “deeply touched” and “we were dear and close to their hearts.” (page 179)
For Marie, the white head-dress she wore as a nurse “represented the highest qualities of motherhood and wifehood with the additional conception of a saintly nun, a conception especially dear to the Russian people.” (Page 179)
“Here, in this world of hospital beds, white smocks, and long, monotonous hours, the doctor and the nurse occupied the places next to Divinity. The doctor, for some reasons incomprehensible and mysterious often caused pain, yet the soldiers never asked an explanation; they did not question God when He sent them trials. The nurse was more human and nearer to them because she tried to alleviate their suffering, to comfort them, to show them kindness.” (Page 179)
For the officers, the complication for Marie was they knew her identity and also were more “exacting” in their requests, so caring for them was more challenging. (Page 180)
This hospital in Intersburg, received calvarymen who were strong, good-looking young men who brought energy in the hospital. Marie was affected by their energy and found her own energy boundless and she was able to maintain a sense of joy despite the war. Marie found she was full of warmth, life, and energy to keep up the pace with a strong upbeat attitude and sense of humor.
General Rennenkampf, the Commanding General, and Dmitri’s staff unexpectedly arrived. The occasion was to award Dmitri with the Cross of St. George using a hospital safety pin to pin on Dmitri for his bravery in the battle of Kaushin. Sharing the experience with Marie was special for her being included.
“ I learned that my brother, besides taking part in a calvary attack in which an entire battery was captured, had saved the life of a wounded corporal. He had mounted, loaded the man on his back, carried him to safety, and then jumping into the saddle again rejoined his squadron.” (Page 181)
Due to the Germans moving closer, the troops and supply trains began to go in the opposite direction. They “transfer(ed) all seriously wounded to sanitary trains and prepared for retreat.” (Page 181)
Planes began dropping bombs and damaging the railway station. The sounds of artillery became closer daily. Helen had been called away with her husband to the rear of the army. The packing and moving patients had begun. That night, Marie fell asleep in her clothes. She was woken up by her lady-in-waiting, Mme. Sergeieva. It was urgent. “A Zeppelin. It is flying over the city. Throwing bombs.” (Page 182) While the night was clear with stars, there was a “buzzing noise.” (Page 182) They rushed away and bombs hit the yard. Blood had rushed into Marie’s temples as she was thinking this could be death for others and herself. The buzzing noise left with night stillness to follow. There was beauty and peace in the air. She noticed, almost all the personnel had moved to the yard together. During the bombing, a bomb had exploded between the headquarters and the hospital. An officer went to assess. Marie later received the St. George’s medal for her work that day.
Packing continued. The orderlies were found in the basement with empty alcohol bottles sleeping on the floor. The superintendent had sprayed water in their faces to wake them and they prepared to leave the town. All had been packed and was ready to go. The unit left before dawn. Mme. Seregeieva and Marie were alone in the building. They left in the early morning via an automobile train in front of the headquarters. General Rennenkampf passed by Marie and stopped to shake her hand, and then continued in his car. The automobile Marie was in, was second in line. “Somewhere quite near the artillery roared and the machine guns rattled. It was a clear and cool morning. Our destination was Gumbinnen.” (Page 183)
“Outside the town the cars stopped. Rennenkampf alighted and came towards us. ‘Your Highness,’ he said, ‘ there was stationed here a park of artillery and picket line into which the Zeppelin there a bomb last night. Would you care to look about?’ Reluctant to refuse, I jumped out of the car. We climbed over a ditch and walked along the field. The sight that met my eyes was horrible beyond my wildest imagination; I remember it, to this day, down to the slightest detail, but I cannot write about it.” (Page 184)
Marie was really aware of the current situation and how close the was at this time. She sensed an alarming feeling. The General managed what became a panic of the orderlies and he had them get in more a line formation, versus just trying to quickly move out of the area.
In the evening, they arrived in Gumbinnen. It was a dark, gloomy, quiet town. Mms. Sergeieva received “decent lodgings” that faced the street. (Page 184) As Marie was undressing and reading to get into a real bed, the General had one of the officers knock on their door and asked them to quickly leave. They went to Eydtkuhnen with an accompanying officer. They had left in the automobile in a dark town of Gumbinnen. Marie was cognizant that threats could mean becoming a prisoner of war. While no one spoke in the car, Marie did not feel fear.
They came to a building with a partial roof where soldiers were exhausted and many fell asleep where they were standing. Some of those soldiers had dysentery. An officer found the station commander with the urgency of getting Marie and Mms. Sergeieva to the next flag station. For the next 2 days, they were in a field receiving food from the field kitchens of the passing squadrons. There she learned that the hospital equipment had to be left behind. Also Marie learned that the French unit headed by Dr. Kresson had been taken as prisoner, although the hospital personnel was able to escape.
Marie looked back as a short, happy time for her, where she felt of “real service and of that allurement which is linked with danger.” (Page 185)