Dulcimer during the War Between the States

Rob N Lackey
04/18/13 02:46:48PM
@rob-n-lackey

Here's some food for thought regarding if dulcimers were played in the War Between the States. John Mawhee said he got the pattern for the "Indian Walking Cane" dulcimer during the War. It seems, due to the closeness to the old Virginia pattern, he could (repeat could, not definite) have heard a Confederate prisoner playing one, or even a fellow Yankee playing one. Were there hourglass dulcimers played during the war? Maybe, maybe not. However, it does not seem out of the realm of possibility that one of those small, old Virginia types could have been carried in a bedroll.