Order to Withdraw to Anyi and Fengxin for Rest and Reorganization [1]

(August 1, 1930)

(1) The 103rd and 105th Regiments have both arrived at Nanchang Station, seemingly adopting a posture of holding firm and awaiting reinforcements. Today (August 1), our dispatched units have launched an attack from near Nanchang Station toward Nanchang, as an armed demonstration to commemorate the August 1st Festival.

(2) In order to swiftly accomplish its mission of advancing northward, this Army Corps has resolved to lure the enemy out of their stronghold and annihilate them. It is planned that tomorrow (August 2), we will advance to the line between Anyi County and Fengxin County for rest, reorganization, work, and fundraising.

(3) The 12th Army shall march to Anyi to maintain vigilance toward the Jiujiang direction. It must set out from here at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow (the 2nd) (dispatching guerrilla units toward Wanjiafu and Tanxi), proceeding via Wushanpu, Luowa, Lianglukou (where the road divides), and Shibijie to Anyi County seat. Its 1st Column, which has been dispatched to Guofangnao, shall withdraw only after 5:00 a.m. tomorrow and proceed by the nearest route to Anyi to rejoin its unit (it is advisable for the army to encamp at Shibijie on the first day).

The 3rd Army shall set out at 2:00 a.m. tomorrow from its current station (Shizinao), proceeding via Luowa and Lianglukou (care must be taken to pass through Lianglukou promptly and on time to avoid intersecting with the 12th Army), Liujia, and Guangfuqiao to Fengxin County seat (60 li). Its 1st Column, dispatched to Guofangnao, may advance tomorrow to a point several li ahead of Wanfuqiao, select a site to encamp, and on the day after tomorrow (the 3rd) proceed to Fengxin to rejoin its unit.

The 4th Army (minus the 2nd Column) shall set out at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow (the 2nd) from its current station (Zaoshan), proceeding via Liangcun, Tangjia, Tangjiafang, and Guangfuqiao to Fengxin County seat. Its 2nd Column shall, at 4:30 a.m. tomorrow,

[1] This is an order issued by Mao Zedong and Zhu De at Wanshou Palace in Xinjian County, Jiangxi, for the First Army Corps of the Red Army.

march behind the headquarters’ direct-affiliated units, proceeding via Wushanpu, Luowa, and Lianglukou to encamp near Guangfuqiao, carry out local work, mobilize the masses, and vigorously raise funds, while maintaining vigilance toward the Nanchang direction.

The headquarters’ special service team, the General Command, the Revolutionary Military Committee and its special service battalion, and the communications team shall rise at 3:00 a.m. tomorrow, assemble at 4:00 a.m. in order at this intersection, and set out, marching behind the 12th Army, proceeding via Wushanpu, Luowa, Lianglukou (where the road divides here), Liujia, and Guangfuqiao to encamp at Fengxin County seat (60 li) (the baggage of the direct-affiliated units shall march behind the communications team).

(4) For liaison between the Anyi force (12th Army) and the headquarters at Fengxin, the headquarters’ communications team shall dispatch a squad of signalmen to accompany them and set up telephone lines.

(5) During the march, I shall be positioned with the headquarters.

Supplementary Notes:

(1) The arrangements for encampment at Fengxin County seat shall be the responsibility of Huang Gonglüe, Commander of the 3rd Army.

(2) At the road fork near Luowa at Lianglukou, the 3rd Army shall assign personnel to properly erect clear directional signposts.

(3) Officers of all units must inform all soldiers and support personnel under their command of the direction of march and the destination, so that stragglers do not take the wrong road.

(4) Along the routes passed or at the places stationed by all units, telegraph wires, poles, and the like must not be arbitrarily damaged without orders, lest difficulties arise when our army needs to set up telephone lines.