The Military Writings of
Leon Trotsky

Volume 2, 1919

How the Revolution Armed


The Southern Front

II. Denikin’s Offensive (May 15-August 1919)

ORDER No.100

By the Chairman of the Revolutionary War Council and People’s Commissar for Military and Naval Affairs to the ‘N’ Army, May 25, 1919, No.100, Boguchar
[Boguchar is just south of the River Don, about half-way between Voronezh and Tsaxitsvn (Vo1gograd).]

Transcribed and HTML markup for the Trotsky Internet Archive by David Walters

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To be read to all companies, squadrons, batteries and task-forces

An end to the foul rebellion in the Don country! The last hour has struck!

All the necessaxy preparations have been made. Sufficient forces have been assembled for hurling against the traitors. The hour has struck for settling accounts with the Gains who for over two months have been stabbing in the back our armies fighting on the Southern front. All workers’ and peasants’ Russia looks with revulsion upon these Migulinskaya, Veshenskaya, Yelanskaya and Shumlinskayat [ Migiilinskaya, etc., were Cossack settlements in the northern part of the Don region.] bands which, under a fraudulent red flag, are helping the Black-Hundred landlords, Denikin and Kolchak!

Soldiers, commanders, commissars of the punitive troops! The preparatory work has been completed. All the necessary forces and means have been assembled. Your ranks are formed. Now, at the signal, forward!

The nest of dishonourable traitors must be destroyed. The Gains [?] must be exterminated. No mercy for any stanitsas that offer resistance. Quarter only for those who voluntarily surrender their arms and come over to our side. Against those who help Kolchak and Denikin lead, steel and fire!

Soviet Russia relies on you, comrade soldiers. Within a few days you must cleanse the Don country of the black stain of treason. The last hour has struck!

All, as one forward!


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Last updated on: 23.12.2006