from:    http://ohs.org/education/oregonhistory/historical_records/dspDocument.cfm?doc_ID=B6BB754A-D69B-8E6C-CA24357497974682

Broom brigades were women's organizations that spread throughout the United States during the 1880s. Mark Twain observed in his 1883 book Life on the Mississippi that "in the West and South they have a new institution—the Broom Brigade. It is composed of young ladies who dress in a uniform costume, and go through the infantry drill, with broom in place of musket." He described the broom brigade of New Orleans: "I saw them go through their complex manual with grace, spirit, and admirable precision. I saw them do everything which a human being can possibly do with a broom, except sweep."