The infernal columns ( Fr. , `` '' colonnes infernales '' ) were operations led by the French revolutionary Change_of_leadership general Louis Marie Turreau in the War Hostile_encounter in the Vendée , after the failure of the Royalist Virée de Galerne .

In January 1794 , Turreau wrote Writing to the National Convention 's Minister for War , to lay Placing out his proposed tactics : `` “ My purpose is to burn everything , to leave Departing nothing but what is essential to establish Creating the necessary quarters Temporary_stay for exterminating the rebels . ''