Dennis, Some may see the military standpoint in the actions against the women and children. Most do not. It would have been a strategic military move to burn the mills yes. The women were considered 'traitors'. Why? They were trying to provide for their family at a time when these chance were few and far between. If a mother could find work and possibly afford what ever food was available, they'd take it. Many others in the South were starving. The fact that Sherman saw it expedient to send them hundreds of miles away and cross into what was then to them, foreign soil with no friends or family was inhumane to say the least. They could have been left at home, they could do no harm. The OR corrospondance said they would be safer there. Bull! These were women! Poor women!
There have been writings that report violations to their womanhood' in the square while awaiting transport in the open, without shelter. I've got to find those reports again. Lost em in the puter crash.
Some did make it back at different intervals after the war but a large number were never heard from again. These may have hired out as charwomen or other jobs and some may have become ill. The mystery is just that, a mystery. It was just plain wrong to do that to them.

Pam