Formal orders for forced evacuation had come…

Formal orders for forced evacuation had come with the decisive Battle of Savenay (December 1793); also, a 'scorched earth' policy is initiated: farms are destroyed, crops and forests burned and villages razed.

There were many reported atrocities and a campaign of mass killing universally targeted at residents of the Vendée regardless of combatant status, political affiliation, age or gender.

One specific target were the woman of the region.

Since they are seen, in a way, that they will carry anti-revolutionary babies, they are seen as primary targets.