Orders to the Rebel Army, Nov. 13, 1958

To all the commanders and leaders of the rebel columns in the provinces of Oriente, Camaguey, and Las Villas, and to the civilian population, particularly in Oriente Province:

Two worthy officers of the army together with their troops have just rebelled against the dictator and have joined the revolutionary troops on Front No. I of the Sierra Maestra. They have brought all their weapons and a large quantity of bullets. Two complete platoons with officers, noncommissioned officers, and soldiers are already on their way to the general headquarters. This report has caused great jubilation in the rebel ranks.

Other units have rebelled and are on their wav to the Sierra Maestra. This is evidence of the complete revolutionary support found in the ranks of the armed forces. This is an extraordinary moment which could determine the early end of the tyranny. Although it is still necessary to fight very hard, everything seems to indicate that the defeat of the government is imminent, desperate though its final resistance may be.

Traffic in the province of Oriente must, therefore, remain completely paralyzed. All rebel men and units must remain at their posts. All roads leading to and from the cities as well as to and from the province of Oriente must be cut off. The Frank Pais Column on the Second Front must continue their advance, surrounding and conquering as many garrisons as possible in the Mayarí-San Luis-Guantánamo triangle, while the columns surrounding Santiago de Cuba must tighten the circle, preventing the slightest movement of enemy troops.

The rebel troops operating in the center and west, guarding the entrance to the province of Oriente, must fight tenaciously against all troops the government sends to the province. The cities which fall into the hands of our troops will be declared open cities and, therefore, no rebel troops shall camp there to prevent the bombing of defenseless towns. We shall request the intervention of the Red Cross to this effect. Absolute order is necessary in all circumstances. The soldiers who surrender or join the Revolution will have to receive the most fraternal treatment. Any official of the armed forces wishing to join the Revolution with his troops will have to do so under the commanders and the rebel leaders of each region.

Each rebel commander must take special care that the weapons held in the large garrisons are unloaded and placed in a secure place while awaiting orders for their distribution to the pupils of the various revolutionary soldiers' schools where they are being trained at present. The rebel troops of the province of Camagüey must support the battle of Oriente, intensify the attacks against enemy transportation in Camagüey, and attack the rearguard of the troops which are to be sent to that province.

The invasion columns 2 and 8 of the Rebel Army situated in Las Villas, with the support of all the other revolutionary forces fighting there, must also block the railheads and railways to prevent passage of the enemy forces to Oriente Province and to prevent those remaining with the tyranny and fighting in this extreme end of the island, where they are already almost completely surrounded by our troops, from withdrawing.

The people must cooperate with the Rebel Army to the best of their ability. They must be the chief preservers of order in each liberated city and must prevent pillaging, destruction of property, and bloodshed. No one must take revenge on anyone. Those who have committed inhuman acts against the people will be detained and imprisoned and later tried by revolutionary courts. In the decisive moments which are approaching, the people must give the highest proof of civic sense, patriotism, and a sense of order so that later no dishonorable accusation can be made against our revolution which, because it is the highest goal of the Cuban nation and the most extraordinary proof of the people's desire for peace and of their dignity, must suffer no blemish.

                                                                                                                                                                        Fidel Castro