Actually, he didn't say he wanted to make them howl....he said they would howl. He arrested them because they were a part of the war effort. According to your articles, he said that the poor ladies would howl and to let them take their children with them. If he is arresting them, it is a humanitarian decision to let them take their children with them. He could have just arrested the women who were a part of the war effort and made them leave their children behind, but he didn't.

I grew up just off the path of where Sherman came through north Georgia and my mother's family is between Atlanta and Savannah. I heard lots of stories about Sherman coming through growing up and the people were certainly not fans of his, but never remember hearing about rapes, baby killings, etc.

Last edited by jlccoffee; 08/29/11 09:47 AM.