“A badge of secesh loyalty”

Bangor Daily Whig & Courier, October 14, 1863

 Abstinence from crinoline it seems is a badge of secesh loyalty in the Southwest. A correspondent of a morning paper who has been at Memphis lately says that though hoops are plentiful there, the ladies have agreed among themselves not to wear them. It is their secret sign—their badge—their rebel flag. No longer allowed to flaunt past our gallant fellow with their badges and flags pinned to their dresses and bonnets, they have hit upon this plan. They will wear no more hoops. That is their rebel mark now; and one, the other day, when asked if that was the reason, tossed up her head and said: “Yes, it is and you Yankees can’t make us wear hoops, neither.”