In the south there was a shortage of ink and paper during the war, but the soldiers found a way around the problem. They made ink from the juice of berries and used bird feathers or cornstalks as pens. Try writing a letter and feel what it was like for a Civil War soldier to write a letter home! MATERIALS: 1/4 Cup raspberries or strawberries 1/4 Teaspoon vinegar Soup or cereal bowl Spoon Scissors Bird feather Paper DIRECTIONS: Place the berries and vinegar in the bowl. Crush the berries with the back of the spoon until you have a smooth liquid. This is your ink! Now use the scissors to snip off the tip of the shaft of the feather on an angle. Now you have a quill pen and you're ready to write! Arts & Crafts Home